Why do People Resist Change?

Abstract

We have seen from the previous chapter that change is inevitable and is a constant feature in our lives. Whether it is an ongoing step wise change to make an existing state better (a developmental change [1]) or a dramatic transformational change [2], it is here to stay. The two extremes of change can be very clearly highlighted in our lifetime. The progression of telephones from the dial phones, to analogue through the digital age of mobile technology is a classic example of a developmental change. The current political climate in the USA and a new President elect has led people to a state of not knowing what is going to happen and this can be considered to be a transformational change. By the time this book is published however, the USA population will have entered into a new phase of equilibrium following the transformation. Which change would one consider to be the more accepted by people? In the vast majority I would suggest it is the developmental change [3]. This chapter will not dwell on the change per se but on why people resist change. I will try and provide examples of my experience of people resisting change. The subsequent chapter will give the next contributors personal perspective and experience on overcoming change.