Some Ways to Reduce Resistance (7)

Introduction

"...The goal of resistance management is to mitigate the impact of resistance, not necessarily to try to eliminate it. Not all resistance can be avoided or eliminated. Some resistance is important as it is informing you that aspects of the change itself could need modifying (ie, constructive resistance)..."
Prosci, 2022d

NB Staff have the power to control the duration, cost and impact of resistance

Seven ways to reduce resistance

i) create a company culture that understands the value of growth and innovation plus the virtues of flexibility, agility, etc (at times staff will suffer discomfort in achieving these things. However, they need to be reassured that the changes will eventually benefit the organisation, including the staff)

ii) try to predict individual and/or group reactions to the changes in advance (whether it is concerned about losing authority, changing offices, automation, etc

"... If managers hope to sell changes, they need to predict objections in order to overcome them..."
Mike Raia, 2021

"...when the project is getting started, be proactive and specific about where resistance is likely to come from and the likely objections that drive this resistance..."
Prosci, 2022b

This includes expecting resistance to change as
"...Comfort with the status quo is very powerful. Moving into an unknown future state creates anxiety, fear and stress..."
Prosci, 2022b

Managers and supervisors must actively supporting, by both words and deeds, the change process.

"...employees look to senior leaders when they are deciding if the change is important - and they judge what they see and hear from this group. If the senior leaders are not committed to a change or waver in their support, employees will also consider the change to be unimportant and resisted..."
Prosci 2022b

Furthermore, they need to be prepared so that they know:
"...- how to have an open and honest conversation and coach their employees
     - how to communicate key messages in a way that connects with the interest of their employees
     - how to identify barrier points and work to address them
     - how to help employees be successful after the change is fully in place..."
Prosci, 2022c