Change is a natural and powerful force, a constant and continuing phenomenon.

The Change Style Indicator® (CSI®) is a leadership assessment designed to measure an individual’s preferred style in approaching and addressing change. It provides respondents of all levels with insights on personal preferences for managing through change. It also provides context for how those around them might perceive and respond to their preferred style.

Understanding the human response to change may be a leader’s greatest challenge and most valuable resource. Conflict and innovation are the by-product of this tension.

Regardless of how we experience change or how we feel about it, change is here to stay. By understanding our change preferences and the preferences of others, we can become better able to lead, manage, and assist others through the inevitable changes in our lives and organizations.

KEY FEATURES

Administration Type
Self-assessment

Administration Time
10 to 15 minutes

Format(s)
Online
Hand Scored

Qualification Level
Must be administered by a certified practitioner

The Change Preferences of the CSI®

The instrument addresses both initiated and opposed change and places the respondent on a continuum of three styles:

  • Conserver : Prefers the known to the unknown. Disciplined, detailed, deliberate and organized. Accept structure. Prefer gradual change.
  • Pragmatist: Prefers to explore the current situation in an objective manner. Reasonable, practical, agreeable and flexible. Explore structure. Prefer change that best serves the function.
  • Originator: Prefers a faster and more radical approach to change. Unconventional, spontaneous and risk takers. Challenge the structure. Prefer quicker, more expansive and radical change.

Overall, the three styles represent distinct approaches and preferences when responding to change.

Why use the Change Style Indicator®?

With the Change Style Indicator®, leaders will:

  • Learn about three unique styles for dealing with change.
  • Discover their own position on the continuum of change-style preferences.
  • Learn how a preferred style affects how others perceive an individual and how a style influences the perceptions of others.
  • Explore the advantages, strengths and liabilities that each style offers in a team effort.
  • Improve interpersonal communication and understanding.
  • Avoid conflicts and reduce unproductive meeting time.
  • Realize the value of all perspectives when resolving issues.
  • Enable a team’s creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
  • Increase teamwork and cooperation.
  • Learn communication tips to work with each unique style.

Reports

Individual Report

Designed to assess an individual’s preferred style in handling change. The Individual Report includes an individual’s distribution on the Change Style Indicator continuum for three primary change styles including Conserver, Pragmatist and Originator. The respondents not only receive personal scores but also obtain valuable resources for how to increase their flexibility and maximize their effectiveness when dealing with change.

Group Report

Designed to assess a team’s preferred style in handling change. The group report includes the team’s distribution on the Change Style Indicator continuum for three primary change styles including Conserver, Pragmatist and Originator. Moreover, this report provides the team with information regarding the team dynamics such as team strengths, blind spots, preferred work environment, and how to lead the team through change.

Application of the Change Style Indicator® can also include

  • Leadership Development
  • Team Effectiveness
  • Conflict Management
  • Change Management
  • Individual or Group Professional Coaching