“Change isn’t hard for everyone; it’s hard for the unready”
Thought provoking?
That’s a quote from one of HR thought leaders I follow, Cy Wakeman, who delivered this idea speaking specifically to the business world. But I want to turn this thought into application in one’s personal life.
In the business world, in an organization, change can be hard for people for many reasons. Maybe they are comfortable and feel secure in their role, in their physical space, with their boss. But what if one or even all of those factors have to change? There is fear…loss of security, loss of value, loss of routine, etc.
8 common reasons people resist organizational change:
- Loss of status or job security
- Poorly aligned reward systems
- Fear of the unknown
- Peer pressure; social bonds
- Climate of mistrust
- Organizational politics
- Fear of failure
- The implementation approach to change
One could argue that only those ready for change in an organization are those who are top leaders and who have been involved in making decisions in preparedness for the upcoming change. They know and understand the ‘why’ behind it. Fair statement.
So let’s turn this personal.
YOU are the top leader in your life and involved in making decisions in preparedness for change. You understand ‘why’ you need to make the change. Let’s take those same 8 common reasons and apply them to your personal life. Included are some questions for important self-reflection.
- Loss of status or job security
- What do you have to lose by making a change? More importantly, what do you have to gain?
- Poorly aligned reward systems
- What is your reward for making a change? What is the gain and where can you reward yourself?
- Fear of the unknown
- What are your thoughts about the unknown? Is it people, a place, a thing? Is the thought real and valid?
- Peer pressure; social bonds
- Is making a change best for YOU? What is the impact to you socially and within your social network? Does it matter when you’re doing what’s best for you?
- Climate of mistrust
- Do you trust yourself enough to follow through with the change? How can you overcome any mistrust? Can you establish an accountability partner or system?
- Organizational politics
- Who is your life will not support this change? Who or what is an obstacle?
- Fear of failure
- What are your thoughts about failure? Is the thought real and valid? How do you define failure?
- The implementation approach to change
- How will you implement this change? Is it a thought out action plan or just a wish? Is it a “I can” vs. “I will try” mindset?
YOU are the leader of your life. Change is coming; whether it’s coming at you or be it by your own decision. You can make yourself ready. When you make the decision to change, you have the power of both self-reflection and control. When change it coming at you, you still have self-reflection to prepare yourself. Don’t take the stance that there is nothing you can do. There are always ways to be ready.
