by Sam Brock

In his book Developing the Leader Within You, John Maxwell gives fourteen reasons for why people resist change. Maybe you have not noticed the resistance, or maybe you have resisted it yourself. The phrases below are sure signs of resisting change.

1. The change is not self-initiated. “I hope they know what they are doing.” “Hey, don’t ask me. I just work here.”

2. Routine is disrupted. “I just wish we could have one normal day.”

3. Change creates fear of the unknown. “What if it doesn’t work?” “Has anyone ever done this before?”

4. The purpose of the change is unclear. “Why are we doing this?”

5. Change creates fear of failure. “I don’t understand.”

6. The rewards for change do not match the effort change requires. “Is this worth it?” “This is like taking two steps forward and three steps backward.” “I’d rather climb a sand dune than do this.”

7. People are too satisfied with the way things are. “Why are you rocking the boat?” “Quit asking questions and just do your job.”

8. Change will not happen when people engage in negative thinking.  “What if the economy goes ptfptlflthh?” “What if I get sick?”

9. The followers lack respect for the leader. “If they worked with us, they wouldn’t do this to us.”

10. The leader is susceptible to feelings of personal criticism. “I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feeling.”

11. Change may mean personal loss. “Who took my parking spot?” “That means that I’ll have to walk farther to the drinking fountain” (copier, restroom, etc.). 

12. Change requires additional commitment—are your staff unwilling or unable to change? “There is so much already going on.” “I’m not sure I can add another thing.”

13. Narrow-mindedness thwarts acceptance of new ideas. “I need to know how it all works before I take the first step.”

14. Tradition resists change. “We’ve never done it this way before.” “Remember the good ol’ days.”