Overcoming Resistance II

Provide reassurance that the future, under the new strategy, will be better than the present.

Resistance to change can be expected. The following will minimize resistance to change.

• Provide information. Give detailed reasons for why the change needs to happen, and encourage question of the situation.
• Encourage involvement. Where possible, involve individuals in the development your strategy -- they are more likely to accept it if they have played a part in its creation.
• Engineer the situation. Create a "crisis" to encourage closer teamwork -- in crisis people usually stop silly arguments and work together on the main task.
• Provide training. Offer training and coaching where appropriate, so that all individuals are confident in any new roles they have to perform.
• Work with the group. Provide facilitation where group resistance is a problem, and work individually with members of the group.
• Tackle fear. Provide reassurance that the future, under the new strategy, will be better than the present.

ACTION POINT: Overcome the fear of change through involvement, training, teamwork and information.