Here is an interesting article in the USA Today about an IL town that dealt with unwelcome change in what appears to be an effective way.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2010-09-21-1Aherrin21_CV_N.htm

While many of the comments in response to the article focus on the practice of outsourcing, the main point of the article (and maybe I’m filtering through my own lenses too much) is how the town coped with the transition. It’s a good story, even inspiring. It does not have a happy ending for all but overall, I think it’s a good example of managing through a very difficult transition. I encourage you to read the article but here is what I gleaned as far as effective change/transition management practices:

1) Key leaders came together quickly to find solutions
2) Though there was no compelling vision of the future (because it was rather bleak), the town rallied together around a common purpose. The following quote is illustrative…the [feeling of great dread] faded as the community came together to rescue itself.
3) There was a very simple but key and powerful message for which they found a symbol: every cloud has a silver lining
4) They leveraged their own resources. There are always resources in every system, no matter how scant, to face almost every situation.
5) The level of trust was high despite the situation. They respected each other and together developed a sense of hope.

Yes, there were people who left the town, others who have not yet found employment, and many who are working for less than they were making but the town remains, people are working, the town is probably more united, and I venture to say that these people can probably face challenges better now because of their experience.

What do you think?