The resistance factor.

AuthorHarlan-Evans, Toni
PositionPreventing human emotions from sabotaging business organizations

New alliances often bring unexpected changes. Unless understood and dealt with, the complexity of human emotions can sabotage the organizational change.

It is not news that people resist change. New alliances often present a struggle for people to balance their need for security against a focus on doing the right thing. Understanding and working with human nature is a critical factor in helping people to make the necessary adjustments.

Many of our leaders, skilled in strategic, analytical thinking, know only too well the cost of not understanding the human factor. Brilliant strategic alliances often don't come close to reaching their potential, due to the complexity of dealing with human emotions.

To up the odds of a successful transition in major structural changes in organizations, it is important to comprehend and respond to the reasons why people facing change will sabotage their futures.

People are very adept at playing certain kinds of games to adjust their perception of reality to one that feels good. They will view themselves as successful and wise when they are not. They will believe that they are working with the best company when they are not. They will believe in their own capacity to always pick the best path when they have a history of foolish choices. They simply adjust their view to fit reality.

Even if they have been vocal critics of their situations in the past, they will often believe that the way it is, or was, is better than a suggested or forced change. They have to! Otherwise, they would have to admit that they lacked the courage to change it or leave for a better situation.

This first dynamic of human nature that affects change is a form of elitism. It works at all levels and in almost all situations. It is a natural coping mechanism. It will often take leaders by surprise because it is functioning at a subconscious level. The individuals are unaware of it as a factor in their behavior choices.

A second key factor in understanding the resistance to change is the importance of choice as a cherished 'right.' People want to believe that they have choice in things that have a major impact on their lives. When reality imposes itself upon this assumption, human beings will still find a way to execute a sense of choice through their actions. Often, if all other choice is eliminated as an option, they will find ways to work against success of the outcome, just to have a choice. That their actions are self- destructive...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT