Boil the Frog

Communication and acclimation are key to successful organizational change.

“Boil the Frog” is not a directive. It’s a concept that should not be taken literally. We all would expect that if a frog is placed in hot water, it will jump out immediately. However, legend has it that if a frog is placed in tepid water, it will not jump out. Rather, as the temperature is slowly turned up over time, the frog will adapt to the change in temperature. Without fear, the frog will stay in the pot.

The “Boil the Frog” concept is analogous to a change management approach for introducing change slowly and carefully to an organization.

If you tell the organization, “We have big changes coming,” fear is ignited and people want to jump. Without information from leaders, employees oftentimes fill in the knowledge gaps with worst-case scenarios and baseless predictions. Fear can swirl, distract employees from their focus on job performance, easily impact company productivity, and ignites resistance.

“Boiling the Frog” as a change management approach requires time, thoughtful planning, transparent communication, anticipation of possible questions, fears or other reactions, and the sequencing of pro- actively sequence events to ensure employee’s trust outweighs fear.

“Boiling the Frog” requires Change Leaders to work with project sponsors and other leaders to facilitate significant upfront planning, understand others’ needs, and ensure adequate time. Where this approach is used, Leadership is subsequently perceived as more trustworthy and respectful.

Note: No frogs were harmed in the writing of this article.

Looking to get your organization ready for an upcoming change? Contact us here or by email at laura@fearlesschange.org.