More Detail on Resistance (cont.)

Introduction
People are likely to resist change for the following reasons:
- uncertainty and unknowns that change can create
- increasing complexity
- the need to change habits (we are creatures of habit and generally don't like learning new ways of doing things)
- concern over personal loss (potential or actual; if it threatens the status quo, ie the more people have invested in the current system, the more they resist change;
"...they fear the loss of status, money, authority, friendship, personal convenience, or other economic benefits that they value..."
Austin Oparanma, 2015)
- the belief that the change is not in the best interest of the organisation (it is incompatible with the current goals and interests of the organisation)
Some actions to reduce resistance to change:
"...Education and Communications
        - communicate with employees to help them see the logic of change.
        - educate employees through one-on-one discussions, memos, group meetings, or reports.
        - appropriate if source of resistance is either poor communications or misinformation
        - must be mutual trust and credibility between managers and employees
Participation
        - allow those who oppose a change to participate in the decision
        - assume that they have expertise to make a meaningful contribution
        - involvement can reduce resistance, obtain commitment to seeing change succeed, and increase quality of change decision
Facilitation and support
        - provide supportive efforts such as employee counselling or therapy, new skills training, or short, paid leave of absence
        - can be time-consuming and expensive
Negotiations
        - exchange something of value to reduce resistance
        - this may be necessary when resistance comes from a powerful source
        - consider the potentially high cost and likelihood of having to negotiate with other resistance
Manipulation and Co-optation
        - manipulation is covert attempts to influence such as twisting or distorting facts, withholding damaging information, or creating false rumours
         - co-optation is a form of manipulation and participation
         - inexpensive and easy ways to gain support of resistance
         - can be measurable if targets feel they are being tricked
Coercion
         - use of direct threats or force
         - inexpensive and easy way to get support
         - may be illegal. Even legal coercion can be perceived as bullying..."
Austin Oparanma, 2015