CHANGE MANAGEMENT
SIVAP,
What you are experiencing is nothing new.
We all go through this situation. It is a learning curve.
The problem is on both sides of the coin - the managers, who have different perceptions - yourself, whose credibility is suspect in the eyes of the senior managers.
HERE ARE SOME USEFUL GUIDELINES.
WHY PEOPLE RESIST CHANGE
It used to be an accepted fact that everyone resists change. We now know that it is not true. There are many reasons why a person resents (negative attitude) and/or resists (active opposition to) a particular change. Likewise, there are many reasons why a person accepts (neutral attitude) and/or welcomes (positive attitude) a particular change.
Why People Resent or Resist Change
There are many reasons why employees of all sizes/shapes may react negatively to change.
Personal Loss. People are afraid they will lose something. They might be right or they might be wrong in their fear. Some of the things they might lose are as follows:
Security. They might lose their jobs through a reduction in force or elimination of their jobs. Automation and a decline in sales often bring about this feeling.
Money. They might lose money through a reduction in salary, pay, benefits, or overtime. Or, expenses such as travel may be increased because of a move to another location that is farther from their home.
Pride and satisfaction. They might end up with jobs that no longer require their abilities and skills.
Friends and important contact. They might be moved to another location where they will no longer have contact with friends and important people. This loss of visibility and daily contacts is very serious for people who are ambitious as well as those with a strong need for love and acceptance.
Freedom. They might be put on a job under a boss who no longer gives them freedom to do it "their way." Closer supervision that provides less opportunity for decision making is a dramatic loss to some people.
Responsibility. Their jobs might be reduced to menial tasks without responsibility. This may occur when a new boss takes over or through changes in methods or equipment.
Authority. They might lose their position of power and authority over people. This frequently happens when reorganization takes place or when a new boss decides to usurp some of the authority that an individual had.
Good working conditions. They might be moved from a large private office to a small one or to a desk in a work area with only a partition between people.
Status. Their job title, responsibility, or authority might be reduced from an important one to a lesser one with loss of status and recognition from others. This also happens when another layer of management is inserted between a subordinate and manager.
No Need. The typical reaction is, "What's the matter with the way things are now?" Or, "I don't see any reason why we should change."
More Harm Than Good. This is even stronger than the previously mentioned "No Need." People really feel it is a mistake that it will cause more problems than it is worth. Sometimes this reaction is justified. It is particularly common when people at the "bottom" of an organization feel that top management makes changes without knowing what is going on "down on the line."
Lack of Respect. When people have a lack of respect and/or negative attitude toward the person responsible for making the change, there is a strong tendency to resent and even resist it. Their feelings do not allow them to look at the change objectively.
Objectionable Manner. Sometimes change is ordered in such a way that the people resent and/or resist because they do not like being told what to do.
Negative Attitude. People with a negative attitude toward the organization, the job and/or the boss are very apt to resent or resist change no matter what it is.
No Input. One of the most significant reasons is the fact that the people who felt they should have been asked were not asked for their ideas concerning the change.
Personal Criticism. Whether or not the change is actually criticizing the things that were previously done or the way in which they were done, people may look upon the change as a personal criticism.
Creates Burdens. Some changes add more work and with it confusion, mistakes and other negative results.
Requires Effort. The change will obviously require more effort. Much of the effort accomplishes very little, if anything. Whenever changes require more time and effort, people are apt to resent and even resist them, particularly if no rewards accompany the extra effort.
Bad Timing. The timing of a change is very important to its acceptance. If it comes at a time when people are already having problems, the change is usually resented and probably resisted by those who are supposed to implement it.
Challenge to Authority. Some people are testing their power and influence by simply refusing to do it.
Secondhand Information. Some people are very sensitive about the way they learned of the change. If they found out about it from a secondhand source, they might resist it until they hear it "from the horse's mouth."
What is the Real Reason for Resentment or Resistance?
Managers often have difficulty in determining the real reason why subordinates resent and/or resist a change. They may feel that the subordinates are just being stubborn or that they are afraid they will lose something. The real reason may be entirely different.
WHY PEOPLE ACCEPT OR WELCOME CHANGE
While some people resent and/or resist change, others accept and welcome it. The degree to which these opposites occur depends on many factors. Some of the reasons for positive reaction to change are described in this section.
Personal Gain.
When changes are made, some people may gain such things as the following:
Security.
They feel more secure in their job because of the change. Perhaps more of their skills will be used.
Money.
They may get a salary increase, more benefits, an incentive or profit-sharing program, or more overtime.
Authority
They may be promoted to a position of greater authority, or they may get a new boss who gives them more authority than they had under the previous boss.
Status/Prestige.
They may get a new title, a new office, or a new responsibility, their boss may have assigned more responsibility, or they may have a new boss who assigns more responsibility than the previous one did.
Better working conditions.
They may get a new working schedule, new equipment, or other conditions that make the job easier or more enjoyable.
Self-satisfaction.
They may get new satisfaction or feeling of achievement because of the change. Perhaps the new job gives them more of a chance to use their abilities, or the boss may eliminate some of the obstacles that had prevented them from doing their best.
Better personal contacts.
They might be located in a place where they will have closer contact with influential people. Their visibility is very important to some people.
Less time and effort.
The change may make their job easier and require less time and effort.
Provides a New Challenge.
While some people look at a change negatively because it requires effort and perhaps risk, others will be eager for it because it provides a new challenge.
Likes/Respects the Source.
If people have a positive attitude toward the person or the department they represent, they will probably accept and even welcome the change.
Likes Manner.
People who are asked to do things instead of told to do them may react very positively. Someone described the most important words in the English language as follows:
Five most important words: "I am proud of you."
Four most important words: "What is your opinion?"
Three most important words: "If you please."
Two most important words: "Thank you."
One most important word: "You (or possibly We)."
The tone may have much to do with resentment or acceptance.
Reduces Boredom.
Changes that are designed to reduce boredom will be welcomed by some.
Provides Input.
One of the most powerful approaches to get acceptance is to ask for input before the final decision is made.
Desires Change.
Some people will react to change by thinking or saying, "It's about time." In other words, they have been anxious for the change to occur.
Improves Future.
Some changes will open up new avenues for future success in the organization. People will be provided with opportunities to show what they can do. Future possibilities include promotion, more money, more visibility, more recognition and more self-satisfaction.
Right Time.
Some changes come at just the right time. If more money is needed to pay current bills or to buy a luxury item like a video recorder or a boat or to take a vacation, the change will be welcomed.
HOW TO INITIATE CHANGE
Often it is easier to carry out a job if there is a specific plan to follow. When major changes are to be installed, careful planning and preparation are necessary. Strengthening the forces promoting the change and weakening resistance to it are the main tasks.
CREATE A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE
How people react to proposed changes is greatly influenced by the kind of climate for change that the manager/supervisor has created in the department.
HOW IS THE RIGHT KIND OF CLIMATE CREATED?
Supervisors and managers who have enthusiasm for progress and change build a healthy climate.
Creating the right climate is more than just passing on changes. It involves:
Encouraging employees to seek ways of improving their jobs.
Seeking suggestions and ideas from employees.
This requires the manager/supervisor to listen and seriously consider suggestions. It is easy to see that there is a great deal of ego involvement in coming forth with an idea for improvement. Change can become an exciting and dynamic way of life. The manager/supervisor determines the climate in which they initiate change.
GET READY TO SELL
Much of the difficulty in getting cooperation stems from the employees' lack of understanding of how the change will affect them. With a little effort, managers/supervisors can find most of the answers to employees' questions before they are even asked. Answers to these questions would be useful.
What is the reason for the change? Whom will it benefit and how? Will it inconvenience anyone, if so