Any
leader who has tried to effect major change in an organization has met them…the
change resisters.
They
are well known by change management training and consulting experts. They don’t want change, they don’t like
change, and, unless won over, they can spread their negative reaction to change
throughout the company.
How
can you defuse their power?
By
seeking them out and listening to their objections. Sometimes, just having been
heard will be enough to quiet the resisters. Other times you may need to follow
up again and again to convince them of the need for change and reassure them
that the organization will be better as a result of the new direction. And,
once in a while, these change resisters may have a valid concern. Listen
carefully in case you have overlooked something that threatens the whole
initiative.
