Why don’t people like change?
How do you get to the root of resistance and help your teams embrace change?
Resistance to change is complex and influenced by many factors such as:
- Lack of control
- Fear of the unknown
- Lack of awareness and communication
- Attachment to old habits and routine
How to help your team embrace change:
- Communicate your why. When initiating change, give people a clear rationale and vision. You may not know how you’re going to get there, but people need to know where you’re going and why you’re asking them for change.
- Welcome resistance. Resistance simply means that you are alive. Even insects squirm when you poke them. Listen to the resistance. Resistance is a necessary part of change. Don’t take resistance personally. Welcome it.
- Turn resistance into honesty. When people feel safe to be honest, resistance turns into emotions like loss, fear, and uncertainty. People need to grieve before they rebuild. When people genuinely feel supported through resistance, you’ll build community, creativity, and a commitment to embrace new possibilities.
