Change is Scary

A common human fear is change and much of that is due to the unknown. In today’s business landscape, every industry is changing, every business model is being changed. As a leader in technology and assisting companies in digital transformations, this fear of change is a challenge that I help many people overcome. If you want to help ease the pain of change and help people become comfortable with the necessary change that they have to go through, follow these 3 steps.

1. Meet Them Where They Are. Imagine they are standing at the edge of a chasm, they can’t see the bottom and they can’t see the other side. In order to lead them to the end result of the transformation, we first have to meet them where they are. The best way to do this is to relate to them based on your past experience and show empathy. This communicates that you are right there with them.
   

2. Move At Their Pace. This is challenging because many of us have our own agenda. These agendas may be personal to hit your sales target or may be to hit specific corporate milestones. If the goal is to be successful, you have to move at their pace or they will freeze. Instead of pushing them to go faster, you have to lead them in a way that causes them to increase their own pace. Simply picking up your pace will not work.
   

3. Keep Their Eyes on the Future. To keep them on the right path, and to help increase their pace, keep their eyes on the benefits of the future and where you are going. Maybe it is a more productive work environment, making more money, saving more money, or simply having a more fulfilling life. In order to do this, be sure to be ready with examples of how others have completed this journey successfully and are enjoying the fruits of their labor.

Change is scary and people generally don’t like change. The best way to support those where you need them to change requires meeting them where they are at, moving at their pace, and keeping their eyes on the future.