The Dance of Change
The essence of todays discussion was CHANGE and how people and organizations react to changes that effect them. Change is the only constant in todays business environment. There are companies that have made fortunes only because they were able to quickly adapt and change according to the changing business needs. At the same time there have been faliures bacause organization were unable to change when required.
I have always known that people are resistant to change but have never really thought about it in much detail; until todays session. "People are usually resistant to a change" was more of a given for me. But I now think about why it is so. Why are people resistant to change and what will it take to make them change, either willingly or forcefully? And is change even required?
Primarily, people are accustomed to a set practices and behaviours. A change may be required form time to time as the external environment changes. We know the business environment today is continously changing and organizations need to be able to adapt quickly and frequently.
People are usually accustomed to their comfort zone. Changing usually means that they step out of their comfort zone. Unless there is a real need or mandate they will not be very willing to do so. So, to change people you will need to make them step out of their confort zone. This can be done by showing them a need to change. Show them what is in it for them. Unless they see a benifit of changing, they will not change. People will do something that makes them feel good. Sometimes, a quick reward, quick results may need to be showcased to help people change. Reward the behaviour that you want people to repeat. Of course, there will always be people who are always unwilling to change. No amount of motivation / reward can make them change their behaviours. This is a common scenario I had seen in my work environment. In such sitations one may need to 'force' people to change. Punish them if need be. Punish them if they are too stubborn for change. Perhaps create an amount of discomfort in their comfort zone.
Furthermore, there may still be people who will just not cchange. Afterall it may not be a bad idea to let such people go.
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