How to Overcome Change Resistance

Change is inevitable in the workplace. However, transitions aren’t always easy, and change is often met with resistance. As an employer, it’s important you help your team cope with change and minimize any friction along the way. Here are some effective strategies for overcoming change resistance and getting employees to buy in.

Give a Heads Up

You can expect complications if you spring it on your employees from out of nowhere. Surprising them can cause serious setbacks. The better option is to notify your team as soon as possible. This allows you to fill them in on the details, answer their questions and give them time to digest everything.

Address Concerns

Even if the change will be highly beneficial, your team members are likely to have concerns. It’s important that you truly listen to their input and encourage feedback. You want everything to be as transparent as possible to eliminate any question marks, so keep the line of communication open. By addressing your team’s concerns, you can quell or at least reduce, their collective fears.

Focus on the Positives

Any type of change comes with its pros and cons. In this situation, your employees may be inclined to dwell on the negatives and only see the inconveniences they will encounter. But you can make the transition smoother by accentuating the positives of how the change will make things better in the long run.

For instance, employees may be reluctant to learn a new software program because they’re already comfortable with the current way of doing things. In this case, you might explain how the software will make their lives easier and help them accomplish more in less time.

Offer Necessary Resources

Some employees are able to adapt with ease. For others, it’s a bit more involved. Have resources available such as training or educational materials, for those who will inevitably struggle with the change. If there are employees who can’t quite get the hang of new software, you might provide them with an easy-to-use training course or one-on-one help to get them up to speed.

Many people are naturally resistant to change. It’s important to accept this fact and have an understanding of the setbacks you’re likely to encounter during a transition. By covering all of the bases and having a game plan in place, you can help your team cope with change and move through the stages with fewer complications.

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