Indicators associated with change suggest that throughout the process of change and change management, the communication behaviors of an individual become more inner-directed and less tolerant of others. Research suggests that support is perceived only when parallel experiences are shared. In addition to research, however, people need to be taught how to grieve and that grieving is an acceptable form of behavior in any type of loss situation 2. As the shock abates, the physical symptoms lose their intensity and we begin to absorb reality. If there is a persistent wish during grief, it is that the loss could be reversed.
Denial allows the slow assimilation of the loss.
At first the thought is that the report must be wrong. There is often the feeling that a mistake has been made or that the person will walk through the door at any minute. As time passes and preparation for change or for the funeral begins, reality is faced. Bargaining and self blaming requires a greater level of acknowledgment that the loss has occurred, but resistance lingers to the extent that we attempt to make deals to reverse fate. Anger and anxiety are emotional signals that our psychological equilibrium is out of sync.