Change is the Only Constant - So are People's Fears to Change

Throughout my professional career I have seen numerous companies change over their lifetimes. Whether it is the small startup growing into a larger company, a private company going public, or larger enterprises growing across the globe most professionals embrace change and challenge. However the truth is that most also have the same basic barrier  - an inherent fear of change.

People fear the unknown. They fear what they are not comfortable with or do not know. All the various reactions to fear can be seen throughout companies trying to adapt and to change to new market conditions and growth hurdles; inability to rally to a cause, dragging their feet on deliverables, inflating how much effort it takes to do new things, denouncing the change as against organizational values, and the list goes on. This reaction to fear seems to grow in intensity the more veteran, experienced and perhaps even older the professional becomes though to be honest, this is not always the case.

I come from a different background and view where change and what it brings is something to be embraced and views as an opportunity to do things differently. We see change in our daily lives and how people react to it. These reactions tend to be along lines similar to those within organizations. What I find fascinating is how many professionals see change as a fundamental threat to their value to an organization. Typically I hear statements that begin with "After my years of effort..." or "After my past contributions...". These statements tend to hide an emotional content of betrayal and anger that is quite frankly unhealthy, unprofessional and undeserved. Business is a constantly changing environment. And technology is one of the most fast-paced, ever changing areas of a business. It is the primiere point of change. A business does not take on change lightly but rather from a generally accepted truth that in order to survive not just now but in the future, a business has to change. Ones that do not die either via acquisition or simply failing in their model.

I always stress to fellow colleagues and professionals the inherent need to change and our need to be able to adapt to it. For many professionals this leads to a career change where their passion and drive can serve as the catalyst to change. For a small handful, the inability to change is related to factors beyond work and into their personal lives. In these cases, businesses understand the personal reasons and make as many accomodations as necessary but ultimately the organization as a whole cannot wait for one single individual; they move on with the hope that when their valued employee is ready they can re-engage when they can. For many simply being shown the opportunities within the upcoming changes is the only nudging they need. The excitement and enthusiasm to do something new and challenging can outweigh the fear of the unknown.

Yet even in my experience, not everyone can be moved to see beyond their fear. These are the professionals that suffer the most at the hands of change. They see their works erode, their value diminish, and ultimately their time fade in organizations that once held them in great admiration. While sad these examples serve as excellent lessons for everyone around them. As in nature, the cycle of change in business challenges everyone to adapt. Failure ultimately means extinction.