Change is Like a Slinky

by Hans Finzel

A practical guide to navigate change in today's organizational climate. Change or perish: this is a current motto for leaders in all types of organizations. But how does one adapt to such fast and furious change and effectively lead the organization through change? Hans Finzel provides a proven strategy in Change is Like a Slinky , exploring the six major phases in the cycle of change. As he says, "Change is a lot like a Slinky... A slinky can be a lot of fun, but it is also completely unpredictable." Instead of grudgingly wading through inevitable change, readers will find themselves equipped and fired up to tackle it head on.

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Barry Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must confess I started this book with some skepticism regarding its practicality and application to the process of change. However, the author quickly won me over, using the “accidental” invention of the Slinky by a 29 year old naval engineer, Richard James, in 1943 as he knocked over a torsion spring used for testing anti-vibration devices. With the encouragement of his wife Betty, they found a machine shop to manufacture this new innovation formed of ninety-eight coils. Slinky was introduced in 1946 in Gimbel’s Department Store in Philadephia, with all 400 copies of the new toy flying off of the shelves in 90 minutes. Finzel uses this event as a metaphor for the phenomenon of change, following the six phases of change - Accept, Aim, Anticipate, Attack, Adjust, and Align. Each chapter closes with “Takeaways,” including guided questions to assist readers in integrating the content to their particular situation. Numerous additional examples are provided throughout this eminently practical book as well as biblical principles that are foundational to Finzel’s insights.

He introduces the powerful metaphor of the Slinky with these key points, titled “Why Change is Like a Slinky: -
1. You have to take it out of the box to have fun with it.
2. It comes in many styles and colors.
3. Somebody has to launch it on its way,
4. The course it takes once it begins is entirely unpredictable.
5. It routinely gets stuck halfway down the stairs, and has to be relaunched. Repeat as necessary.
6. It is messy, noisy, and chaotic.
7. Before it is launched, it has stored potential energy -- when launched, that energy force becomes kinetic energy.
8. You really don’t control it once it begins its journey.
9. It rarely lands where you predict (page 20).

The winsome chapters of this intriguing and practical book lead the reader through the journey of change, with such titles (one from each of the six phases) as:
A Love-Hate Relationship with Change
Become a Futurist
The Anatomy of Resisters
Be Sure to Issue Flak Jackets
Think Leaps, Not Tweaks
Learn, Unlearn and Relearn
Encouragement: The Oil of the Change Process

An excellent, highly readable, and pragmatic guide to change.

[Joshua Reinders · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like many leadership books, this work didn't suggest anything particularly revolutionary or new. The principles are apparent, but it's the application of principles where many need wisdom.

[Garland Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a class taught by Dr. Finzel and found this book very insightful and practical. Finzel has served as a change agent with World Venture for 20 years and has taken the organization through multiple changes. He uses the analogy of how the slinky was discovered and continues to be popular as an analogy for change. While it might sound contrived (and it certainly was in some places), the creativity of the presentation made it memorable and the change process was helpful.

Leading Change by Kotter and Influencer are my favorite change books. I don't think anything touches those two books on change. But Change is Like a Slinky (along with Switch by the Heath Brothers) come in second.

If you've read Leading Change and Influencer, pick this one up for more insights on very practical ways to introduce change into your organization.

[Mary]

Trying to read it quickly. I like it! Watch out world.