ABSTRACT
The accelerating and ever-changing nature of today's environment creates an unending set of destabilizing forces and wide range of pressures for change. A stabilizing base allows the organization to cope with the pressures without being overwhelmed, while maintaining a sense of direction. Creating a stabilizing base in the face of increasing forces for change is a challenge. The components of the stabilizing base need to be designed to achieve a balance between the need for stability and the trap of creating rigidity that inhibits change. The stability of the employee base of an organization can be a plus or a minus for organizations experiencing increased change. The lack of stability in the employee base can have a destabilizing effect on the organization. Building the elements of the stabilizing base provides comfort in the face of ambiguity and makes change easier. Organizations build a more powerful stabilizing base when they work to balance the needs of all stakeholders.
