5 Reasons Change Is Hard (and How Leaders Can Help)

As a leader, one of the hardest things you’ll ever do is lead people through change. But, the reality is that change is happening around us all the time. If we don’t change, we’ll get left behind. Change is a function of growth…organizations and people can’t grow unless they change. And, here’s the tricky part: a person has to decide to change before they will.

A leader’s job is to inspire and influence people and to create an environment where change is easier. As with most leadership principles, that’s easier said than done. I’ve found there are really 5 reasons change is hard for so many people…and if I’m being honest, I found every one of them in myself first. So, let’s learn and grow (and change) together!

Why Change Is Hard: 5 Reasons

1. “I don’t want to.”

Sometimes we just get stubborn. We flat out don’t want to change. It might be because we disagree with the change, or it might come from bitterness over a broken relationship. Wherever it comes from, it’s tough for a leader to overcome. I think the key is to uncover the root and approach the change gently.

2. “I don’t see the value.”

This is the most common reason people resist change. And, it’s largely the leader’s fault. Ouch! Leaders have to communicate the “why” behind the change. People need to move from understanding the reason to actually seeing the value. That happens through open conversation and giving people time to get there themselves.

3. “I’m too comfortable.”

Let’s face it, a lot of what we do is habit, and we’re comfortable doing it. Change means working harder or doing something out of the ordinary. Routines and traditions are a comfort zone for many people. But, if “there” is clearly better than “here,” it gets a lot easier to leave the comfort zone behind. Paint the picture of “there.”

4. “We’ve tried that before.”

This one can be deadly for an organization. Often, I’ve found that an idea that didn’t work back then works great now. Different people are involved, or something that was missing then is in place today. But, once people believe “we tried that and it didn’t work,” it’s hard to overcome. In many cases, the leader has to take a risk and prove through a small test that it can work now.

5. “It’s just too much work.”

This goes beyond comfort zones. Change usually brings new systems, new processes and even new personalities. Change is HARD work, and it takes a team that can endure and stay focused on the end result. The most important thing a leader can do here is refocus the team on the mission. The change is tied to the mission, and if we don’t change, we won’t fulfill it.

Quick Answers

How can leaders help people through change? Explain the why, listen to concerns, involve people early, start with a small win and keep pointing back to the mission.

Is resistance to change always bad? No. Sometimes resistance points to a real problem with the plan. Listen before you push.

Those are my five. And, as I said, I wrote them looking inward…at myself. If you’re new in a leadership role, you might also like 5 ways to lead well when you’re new. Can you relate to any of these? Which have you been guilty of when faced with change? Comment below and let’s talk…