How to Handle Colleagues Who Resist Change

By Courtney Clark

Most of us don’t really like change, but some people are especially nervous when things are in transition.

If one of your coworkers is change-resistant, but changes are imminent, you need to act fast to get everyone on board with change.

Why Is This Happening? Here’s Why

Have you ever had a rough day and found yourself wanting to shout at the universe “why is this happening to me?!?!”

As humans, if we must be challenged, we want that challenge to at least have a purpose. I tell a story in one of my books, The Successful Struggle, about a woman who moves across the country after a divorce, to be closer to her family for help raising her child. The move is difficult, finding a new job is challenging, and getting everything settled in a new life is exhausting.

The fuel that keeps her going is knowing all the difficulty has a reason, to have a better life for her daughter, and once she makes it through the transition things will ultimately be better.

The #1 thing we can do to help our coworkers get on board with change is to help them understand the purpose of change. Why is this happening? What is the benefit to them? Are there more opportunities for a promotion as the company grows?

When they understand what the ultimate payoff might be, they’re naturally more willing to navigate through change.

Lean On Me 

Another thing you can do to help your colleagues navigate change is to facilitate connections among the staff. Studies show that employees who feel stronger connections to one another report being happier about change in the workplace.

This strategy can be an easy option no matter where you fall on the workplace hierarchy, because building strong workplace relationships doesn’t need approval from a boss. Even actions as simple as eating lunch together, or talking about non-work activities in the breakroom, can foster feelings of connection.

If you do have some decision-making power, activities like community volunteering can really solidify the sense of team connections. Remember: you don’t have to go off-site to volunteer – taking an extra-long lunch break one day and making cards for kids in the hospital works, too.

The Pied Piper

You can’t force your colleagues to get on board with change, but you can lay the groundwork to make change a lot easier to handle. If you have a colleague you know will struggle with change, make sure they understand the purpose behind then change. Then do whatever you can to build that person’s workplace bonds.

​Understanding “why” and having strong workplace connections make a measurable difference when it comes to navigating change with a good attitude.

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