This is something we all struggle with; so let’s look at this closely to see why creating change can be such a challenge.

Let’s begin by defining what change is. Some definitions I found are, “to transform or to convert”, “to become altered or modified”, “a variation or a deviation.” To sum that up, I would say that to make a change requires someone or something to become something different than what it was before. That’s simple enough – right?

Now – what is it that makes this “transformation” so difficult?

Well, as we all know, humans can get really comfortable in a routine, and the longer they follow that routine, the more difficult it is to ask them to change. It really does not matter if that “routine” is the most inefficient way of doing things, what matters is that as humans we crave something called “certainty” (similar to Maslow’s “survival”) and we will hang on to that thing that is certain, regardless of how bad, inefficient, or outdated that is. At least, we tell ourselves, “We know what we’re dealing with now. We don’t know anything about this “change” that we are being required to make.”

Now – this is also a conundrum, as there are changes that are happening all around us – which we simply do not have the choice to decide whether we want them to happen or not; but somehow we don’t equate these changes to something that someone or something requires us to do. Perhaps the problem isn’t with changing – but actually with the fact that SOMEONE is asking us to change.

Let’s think about it. Each day we get up, we have no idea what the day will bring. Loved ones get sick – jobs are lost – we have to take a detour to some unknown place because of a traffic accident; yet, although this can be a royal pain, we cope – we change; because all these scenarios require us to do something different than what we planned.

So – what is different when we are asked by our boss, our organization, our spouse, to change something – do something differently? I believe it is the fact that SOMEONE is asking us to change – and people DO NOT like to be told what to do! Do you?

So what can we take away from this discovery?

Well – in order to create change – you have to have a “buy in” from those you want to change. Telling people what you want changed without allowing them to be a part of the decision puts you in a place where you’re telling people what they need to do – and they have no idea why they need to do this new thing! In order to have “buy in” from those whom these changes are going to impact – you MUST allow them to give their input into what they believe needs changing and why.

When people believe they are active participants in the creation of change – they will take it and run with it! You won’t have to prod and poke to get them to make those changes since it will be their idea!

People are an organization’s #1 Asset; treat them that way and they will move mountains for you!