Resistance to Change
What is Resistance to Change?
Resistance to change is the reluctance or refusal to adapt to new processes, behaviors, or ideas, often due to fear, uncertainty, or a desire to protect existing habits. In the context of organizational behavior, it describes how people push back against changes that disrupt their comfort or control.
The Basic Idea
Imagine that every day you go into the office, you always sit at the corner desk. Even though desks aren’t assigned, you like that spot and feel comfortable there. One day, when you get to the office, you realize all of the desks have been rearranged. You immediately feel anxious and aren’t sure where to sit. One of your coworkers notices you looking around and explains that the desk arrangement was changed from rows to pods that face each other, to facilitate collaboration.
Although panic shouldn’t ensue from a mere rearranging of desks—after all, you get along with all your coworkers, and the new arrangement makes sense—you can’t help but feel unsettled. This is because humans are resistant to change. Our brains are wired to favor predictability and stability, often convincing us that the current way of doing things is the best way, known as the status quo bias. We also fear the unknown, worried that we might fail at something new, which makes us resistant to trying at all.
Resistance to change can be a big psychological obstacle in both our personal and professional lives, making it difficult for us to implement new actions, processes, or ideas, even when they would lead to improvements. In our fast-paced and ever-changing world, with constantly fluctuating trends, increasing globalization, and technological advancements, it is vital for us to overcome resistance to change if we want to be successful. That’s why companies sometimes have entire departments dedicated to change management, in hopes of effectively getting people on board with change.1
“The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.”2
— Charles Kettering, American inventor and engineer who revolutionized the automobile industry.3
About the Author
Emilie Rose Jones
Emilie currently works in Marketing & Communications for a non-profit organization based in Toronto, Ontario. She completed her Masters of English Literature at UBC in 2021, where she focused on Indigenous and Canadian Literature. Emilie has a passion for writing and behavioural psychology and is always looking for opportunities to make knowledge more accessible.
