I cozied up under a big blanket with my family and watched an awesome fireworks show. From my spot, my frozen moment in time, I could hear four languages. Before it got dark I could see grunge, full Indian attire, shorts, jeans, silk and denim. There were footballs, Frisbees, baseballs, soccer balls and plastic bags made into balls. People were barbequing, eating from coolers, opening pizza boxes, scooping up with chopsticks.
What exactly were each of these people celebrating?
I can think of a list- freedom, independence, history, America, opportunity, overcoming adversity, the power of the individual, the sense of community (there is nothing better than the communal gasps when a really big fireworks spread hits), awe, beauty, just being outside with family. From bluebloods (my family goes back to well before independence so I get to imagine what it was like then) to newly arrived immigrants the Fourth of July means something. Of course it means something different to each person.
If you were tasked to gather those different perspectives and tie them in to a shared understanding of what the fourth represents you would have to ask a lot of questions and you would get a big range. But the behavior and the feeling and the connection you heard in the answers would have consistency. You could label it; you could language around it. And later you could celebrate in a shared, but different way.
With change management it is important to know that each person sees, acts and celebrates from their own set of eyes and their own connections. Behaviors can be consistent with change, reactions can be put into a list, timing can even be measured, but perspective (which guides action and participation) must be drawn out and understood. Create events and celebrations that give the opportunity for the full range of connection. Draw out perspective with the knowledge that each will be a little different and you can have successful change and the chance to honor the success with celebration.