Yesterday I explained that there were many real reasons why people resist Change. I thought it might be interesting to explore these in a little more detail. So today, “Why standing still is never an option”.

If you think about it, the idea we can avoid Change is ludicrous. It is happening all around us all the time. Look in the mirror and you will probably notice the odd change or two; look in your wallet next time you fill up your car; turn on the TV and see what kind of shows are on today. Change really is a fact of Life and is avoidable.

However, and here is a key element, in order to feel safe, we need to feel in control. Control equals choice. So if I am able to choose not to do something, I must be in control and the world is a safe place!

When Cortes landed in South America, to claim it for Spain, he burnt his fleet of boats to ensure the men were ‘motivated’ to go forwards. Interestingly, if you ever need to lead a horse from a burning stable, you have to blindfold it to get it to move to safety. Burning platforms can work, but they have to be relevant and compelling for the individual concerned.

The Flight / Fight mechanism will keep us locked up and static, till our fear threshold is lowered enough that we can respond rationally to what is being asked of us, so quoting logical facts and figures before the emotional baggage is ditched is doomed to failure.

So step 1 in Change, is deal with the emotions, help people to feel safe.

“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” Marie Curie
“Fear is a darkroom where negatives develop.” Usman B. Asif