Change is hard. Our brain resists change. Understanding how our brain reacts to change is helpful not only in our work environment, but also in our personal lives.
When anything tries to change us we push back and try to maintain our current way of doing things. Even when our livelihood is at risk, change may still not happen. In coronary by-pass studies, 90% of those patients told to change their lifestyle or face a premature death had not changed their lifestyle two years on. In order for people to embrace change more fully, we need to consider how the human brain works.
If you wish to introduce change into your business or organisation, you may find the following information helpful.
When introducing change, there needs to be preparation for change, a belief that change is possible, and then we need to rewire the brain to embed the change.
If you wish to introduce change into a work environment, start by making your employees feel valued. Next be consistent with your information. Have a clear vision of what you want your business to achieve, and focus your employee’s attention on this vision. Allow people to have their own insights about the change you are introducing to their work environment. Keep focusing on the solution and allow your people to align their own values with the new path ahead. Then embed the new change by rewiring the brain through repetition, positive reinforcement and focus. Setting goals can assist focus at this time.
In summary: There is a lot of threat associated with change. We respond to change by fighting or fleeing. When introducing change clarify why the change is important and be clear and consistent about what the change is.
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This article is intended as a point of reference and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional advice. Specialist advice should always be sought in relation to any particular circumstances and no liability will be accepted for any losses incurred by those relying solely on this article.