Fear of Change - Why?

I have been involved in many changes including sitting on the implementation project team of two different corporate ISO9000 certifications, involved in the project teams for the implementation of MRP (Material Requirement Planning) and DRP (Distribution Requirement Planning) systems as well as CRM (Client Resource Management) installations. In all cases the idea of change for staff from one system to another system was always met with a high level of resistance. Why was there so much resistance for systems that clearly would make their jobs so much more productive and easier? It is the fear of change.

Most people fear change while others embrace change, (Entrepreneurs generally embrace change). It would appear that their mode of resistance is high mostly because of what they don't know, 'the fear of the unknown'. As we held numerous meetings for staff discussing, describing and laying out all of the features and benefits, their resistance would lower and eventually they embraced the change. I saw the following quote by Veer Sharma (unknown author to me) which says it all:

"FEAR:--FALSE--EVIDENCE--APPEARING--REAL"

Before launching into a large corporate change the company needs to start with an informational meeting led by Senior Management (I mean the Owner(s), Board Members, President, etc.) that is designed to address any questions at the end. Don't let the Informal Communication Channel (Grape Vine) be your conduit to staff of new information. The Grape Vine can be your worst enemy in creating fear and resistance to change.

Marie Curie: "Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."

Note: I've copied a great ezinearticle blog by Nick Arrizza, MD, which you will find under this post title which offers 10 'Belief Anchors' to assist you in embracing change.