Vadim Kotelnikov    

Resistance to Change in the Workplace

Main Reasons

   

Vadim Kotelnikov, founder of 1000ventures - personal logo   Business e-Coach  

 

 

 

 

 

9 Signs of a Losing Organization

Human and Organizational Barriers To Change

If you want to overcome resistance to change and lead change successfully, you must not only pursue your vision while being flexible, but also be aware of the barriers you'll face and know how to deal with them... More

How To Overcome Resistance to Change: Kore 10 Tips

 

 

MAKE decision, NAKE decision

Manage emotions and efforts of your team. Keep your people in the know. Having decided to change the strategic direction, explain them the reasons... More

Give People Time To Digest a New Idea

"It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end." ~ Leonardo da Vinci 

Give people time to digest a new idea. "Be persistent. Don't expect to "win" the first time. Your first job is just to start the other person thinking," advised Benjamin Franklin in his Bargaining Tips.

Fear of the unknown
Change makes people feel uncomfortable because it implies uncertainty. Not knowing what may potentially happen often leads to heightened anxiety. People resist change to reduce anxiety.

Fear of failure
The new order may require skill and abilities that may be beyond our capabilities. There is resistance to trying a new approach as people know how to operate in the existing order, but fear they will  not be able to acquire the new skills and behavior that will be required of them.

Insecurity
Too many people, especially in a
losing bureaucratic organization, see change only as a threat, never as an opportunity.

Disagreement with the need for change
Associates may feel that the new direction is a wrong direction.

Losing something of value
All associates want to know how the change will affect them. If people believe they will wind up losing as a result of the change, they will resist.

Leaving a comfort zone
P
eople are afraid to go after what they want because it would force them to stretch their comfort zones. It's only natural to put off things that scare us, to sidestep goals that require us to leave our comfort zone and take a risk.

False beliefs
To put themselves at ease and avoid taking the risk, many people fool themselves into believing everything will all work out someday by itself.

Misunderstanding and lack of trust
People resist change when trust is lacking between the person initiating the change and the employees.  Resistance to change is also high when employees do not understand its implications and
perceive that it might cost them much more than they gain.

Inertia
All organizations suffer from inertia to some degree and try to maintain status quo. Change requires effort, oftentimes, a significant one. So, don't underestimate the power of fatigue and burnout.

  Why Change Fails: 8 Common Errors

Case Studies Organizational Transformation at British Geological Survey

People resisted the change initially. David Falvey spent two years in discussions with various groups of employees. The change was more orchestrated than directed by him. The members of the organization brought about change for themselves... More