Why People Resist Change - Change In The Workplace - People Development Magazine

Change in the workplace, most of the time, it feels scary or uncomfortable to step out of the norm and do things differently. The process of change often feels so bad because we’re accustomed to our habits. But it’s essential in both life and work. We subconsciously fight against change. Although most people agree that once they’ve stepped out of their comfort zone, they’re glad they did. Change is very important in a business setting.    Companies that don’t adapt are at risk of stagnation. They may struggle to adapt to the market’s needs. Here are just some of the reasons that change in the workplace is generally positive.

Businesses Need Change To Innovate And Grow

It’s impossible to avoid change as a growing business. New ideas and new perspectives are what drive innovation and growth.   As the team expands, its processes will also need to change. While a few businesses can get by doing the same thing they’ve done for years, most companies need to be constantly innovating to stay afloat and thrive. Encouraging innovation and change, hiring a diverse workforce, and shaking up company culture regularly are all ways companies can stay competitive in a changing economy. For example, organisations can adapt by staying on top of new trends. Trends like the move toward a circular economy, which emphasises sustainable initiatives.

Challenge The Norm

If you’re like most people, you probably can’t be expected to do the same job over and over without getting bored. At a certain point, most people feel compelled to change due to sheer boredom and a lack of any challenge. Eventually, boredom can even convince the most enthusiastic employee to seek a new, more challenging job elsewhere. Keeping employees engaged in their work and retaining top talent requires a bit of creativity. Managers need to challenge employees to develop new skills by assigning them new responsibilities and periodically adjusting their everyday workflows to encourage growth.

Prevents monotony and encourages cultural growth

People don’t want to come to work when it’s the same old thing day after day. Changes in culture should occur on a fairly regular basis, whether that involves introducing new perks, adjusting seating arrangements, or hosting team-building exercises. Companies should maintain their core cultural values over time, but minor changes in culture can break up the monotony and allow new employees to integrate more fully into the culture.

Provides New Opportunities

Business changes and innovation provide more than just growth for the company. Employees are open to more opportunities as changes are made within the organisation. Some employees may volunteer to become champions of change.  New projects and even new positions will often become available through organisational change. The most motivated and adaptable employees will have the opportunity to take on more challenging and fulfilling work.

New Office Culture

Convinced that change isn’t the enemy? Then it’s time to start thinking about changes you could make in your own office. Doing things differently in the workplace can be a positive sign that growth is happening, but it can be uncomfortable for employees. Managers and executives need to be prepared for dissent among staff and anticipate it. One way to do this is to implement a change management strategy, which allows leaders to anticipate the challenges within an organisation and devise a plan for the successful implementation of changes. A formal policy for handling changes, along with adaptable leadership and transparency, is crucial for fostering healthy change and driving growth in a company.