Kegan’s Four Columns
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Understanding Kegan’s Four Columns for Overcoming Resistance to Change
Kegan’s Four Columns exercise, from Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey’s work How the Way We Talk Can Change the Way We Work, helps individuals identify and address the subconscious barriers that prevent personal growth. By mapping out our key commitments, the behaviors that hold us back, hidden competing commitments, and the underlying “big assumptions” driving our fears, we can better understand why we resist change. Through small, actionable steps, this method offers a path to overcoming internal resistance and fostering continuous personal development.
Introduction to Kegan’s Four Columns
Based on the work of Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey from their book, How the Way We Talk Can Change the Way We Work.
Transition from the language of anxiety and complaints to the language of commitment.
We all have an “immunity to change” that prevents us from achieving our goals.
Immunity to Change
An example of “immunity to change” involves a situation where a person genuinely wants to make a positive change in their life but finds themselves unable to do so due to underlying, often subconscious, competing commitments or fears.
Why Do We Get Stuck?
We often face barriers in life that we find difficult to overcome, even when we know what we need to do.
New Year’s resolutions and the difficulty in sticking to them.
New Year’s resolutions often fail because people are unaware of the underlying barriers or competing commitments that prevent them from following through.
Objective of this exercise is to map out and understand our personal barriers to change.
Column 1 – Identifying Your Commitment
What is the one thing that, if changed, would greatly improve your life
Column 2 – What’s Holding You Back?
Identify the behaviors that contradict your commitment.
Column 3 – Hidden Competing Commitments (Anxieties)
Explore the fears and anxieties that drive the behaviors listed in Column 2.
Column 4 – The Big Assumption
Identify the underlying “big bad worry” that drives your anxieties.
Example
GoalWhat’s Holding Me Back?Competing CommitmentsBig AssumptionsI want to find time to enjoy life.Taking on too much work.
Not taking breaks or time to relax. | Fear of not being special or standing out.
Worry about being perceived as lazy or falling behind. | Fear of losing a job or self-worth. |
Reflect on the Insights
Review the “big assumption” identified in Column 4.
This assumption often drives the competing commitments in Column 3 and the behaviors in Column 2 that contradict your commitment in Column 1.
Consider how this assumption influences your actions and how it holds you back from achieving your commitment.
Reflect on the validity of this assumption—how true is it really?
Overcoming Barriers with Baby Steps
Start with manageable actions that challenge the assumptions and anxieties identified.
Most transformations start with small steps, leading to significant changes over time.
Delegate a small task to a team member this week to start reducing your workload and build trust in others’ capabilities.
Making the Exercise a Living Practice
The Four Columns exercise is a continuous activity.
Consider partnering with someone to support each other through the process.
Take the identified baby steps and revisit the exercise regularly to foster ongoing personal growth.
Wrapping Up
Recap of the Four Columns Exercise
Identified a key commitment (Column 1).
Recognized behaviors that contradict it (Column 2).
Uncovered hidden anxieties (Column 3).
Identified the “big assumption” driving resistance (Column 4).
The Power of Small Steps
Start with manageable actions to challenge assumptions.
Dedicate a lunch break to prioritize self-care.
Ongoing Practice
Revisit your columns regularly for continuous growth.
Consider partnering with someone for support and accountability.
