This paper aims to explore a model, “The Four Roomed Apartment of Change” developed by Swedish psychologist claes Janssen which uses existential psychology to understand and manage the processes of change. The model has been used extensively in organisations as a diagnostic tool to facilitate changes in organisations, which involve some psychological discomfort. This paper specifically examines whether the model is equally useful when applied to the management of personal career change.
The paper considers the roots of existential psychology and outlines and critically reviews the “Four Roomed Apartment” model. The paper also provides evaluative analysis of the links between existential psychology and career development.
The paper finds that change may be thought of as a cyclical process involving different frames of mind and different emotions and that understanding those frames of mind is the key to successful, well managed change. The paper concludes that the model offered by the Four Roomed Apartment does provide a useful framework for understanding the emotions and feelings experienced during career change, and offers some guidance as to how to manage the process.
Career success today is measured against a broad raft of criteria, such as fulfilling work, work/life balance, skill utilisation and valued relationships. In order to achieve this success today, individuals must be acutely aware of their experiences and sufficiently reflective to understand their emotional significance. This model offers a helpful framework for that reflection and provides answers to some of the questions that must be answered for successful career management.
