Change is inevitable and if you're not changing you're probably regressing. There are normally three types of responses to change; those that make it happen, those that watch it happen and those who say what happened!

The honest truth is that no-one really likes change because it involves moving from a position of comfort and stepping into place which is unknown. Although you can't always control what happens to you can you can control your reactions to it.

There are two things which affect a persons' reaction to change, our energy and our attitude and both can be observed in our behaviour.

So if our energy is low and our attitude pretty bad, we are probably behaving like a victim who feels overwhelmed and bruised and powerless to do anything. We are likely to react by avoiding any confrontation and trying to ignore the change by burying our heads in the sand and retreating to a place of safety.

The best way to help a person out of this victim mode is to show them what they are doing i.e. hiding and to force them to confront the elements of the change they are ignoring. This in itself will raise their energy levels and help them to move on.

If our energy level is low and our attitude quite positive then we are probably behaving like a spectator who are reluctant to get involved and take any risks although quite positive. As spectators we like to sit on the fence and applaud good ideas but refuse to change ourselves. Instead we think we can ride it out and somehow it won't affect us.

Spectators need reassurance and encouragement that they are ok and have all the skills, experience and knowledge required. Their energy is low, so the best thing you can do is give them a specific role which will get them off the benches and onto the field.

When our energy is high and our attitude poor we may behave like a cynic who is angry and rebellious and will do anything to resist the change. We like to argue and always focus on the negatives, pushing for decisions to be made and then criticising them.

Cynics can be dangerous because they are influential and can sway the spectators and victims. By giving them more responsibility and making them aware of the impact of their behaviour you can redirect their energy and get them on sides.

And finally if we have high energy and a great attitude we could be called achievers. This group feel challenged and stretched by the change but very supportive of it. We tend to see change as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Obviously you want to keep these people motivated and enthusiastic so giving them roles which stretch them will maintain their interest but also using them to encourage the spectators and challenge the cynics will prove useful.

We have all experienced behaviour like this ourselves, it's a natural human reaction. It's a little easier to see it in others than ourselves but never the less, once you can recognise it, you can change it.

Dot Struthers works with school leaders wanting to develop their leadership and management skills. including personal coaching, HR consultancy and management skills training. For more information go to http://www.merechats.co.uk