Why Employees Resist Change and What to Say to Them
Fear of losing their job: No matter their position or cadre, employees always have such fear. This fear makes them resist changes and impose significant costs on organization by interrupting these changes.
Mention in the training courses that implementing changes doesn’t require layoffs. Basically, it is risky to remove some individuals from the system.
The unknown nature of changes: Sometimes, there is this fear that changes and developments may get out of control.
Eliminate this “fear of the unknown” by using the strategy of communicating with employees. Explain to them that the whole path is clear and goals are precisely identified; therefore, there is no possibility of failure.
It will be impossible to convey the matters properly if you don’t communicate with your employees appropriately and if you don’t take them seriously. Providing drip-feed information creates an unhealthy environment filled with doubts.
Other companies’ failure in implementing changes: The rumors among the employees around unsuccessful changes in other companies are among the problems in implementing changes.
In the training section, make a list of unsuccessful attempts in implementing changes by other companies and tell your employees that you are aware of the reasons these companies failed and you have done the necessary predictions to avoid the same pattern. The employees better hear about these matters from you rather than others.