Transformative · 6-week programs, multi-day intensives, or ongoing coaching engagements

Immunity to Change™

A cognitive-developmental framework that identifies the internal 'immune system' preventing behavioral change. It helps individuals and teams uncover hidden competing commitments and underlying assumptions that stall progress on critical goals.

When to use Immunity to Change™

Most effective for 'adaptive challenges' where technical solutions have failed, or when there is a persistent gap between a person's stated intentions and their actual behaviors.

How Immunity to Change™ works

Facilitators can integrate this by using the 'ITC Map' as a diagnostic tool in leadership coaching or team-building sessions. It serves as a structured reflection exercise where participants move from identifying a goal to uncovering the psychological barriers preventing its achievement.

Phases of Immunity to Change™

  1. Identify a Core Improvement Goal
  2. Inventory Behaviors (Doing/Not Doing)
  3. Uncover Competing Commitments
  4. Identify Big Assumptions
  5. Test and Overturn Assumptions

Key principles

  • Adult Developmental Theory
  • Competing Commitments
  • The Mental Immune System
  • Adaptive vs. Technical Change
  • Big Assumptions

Best for

  • Leadership development
  • Organizational culture change
  • Personal professional development
  • Overcoming behavioral plateaus

Considerations

  • Requires a high level of psychological safety within a group
  • Demands significant vulnerability and self-reflection from participants
  • Focuses on deep-seated beliefs rather than quick-fix skills

Attribution & sources

Developed by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey, Harvard University faculty

Primary source

Design a session with Immunity to Change™

METODIC builds a complete Immunity to Change™-based session — methods, timing, worksheets, and facilitator guides — in minutes.

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