Main reasons for
resistance to change are fear of the unknown, fear of failure,
insecurity, disagreement with the need for change, losing something
of value, leaving a comfort zone, false beliefs, inertia,
misunderstanding, and lack of trust.
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.
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.
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
People 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.
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.
