The Manager's Pocket Guide to Leadership Skills

Reasons People Resist Change

The following ten reasons best describe some typical reasons why some employees have a tough time changing their mindsets and behavior:

1.  Fear of failure. Some employee resistance to change is rooted in fear. During periods of change, an employee may feel the need to cling to the past because it was a more secure, predictable time.

2.  Creatures of habit. Doing things in the same routine, predictable manner is comfortable. Asking people to change the way they operate or think requires them to move outside their comfort zone. “We’ve always done it this way, so why do we need to change?” becomes the rallying cry for people who have difficulty changing their routines.

3.  No obvious need. “If it has been working all ...