Change is a fact of life
Change is the irresistible, unchanging rule of life. Nature, with its millions of species, is in a constant state of change at every moment. All living things in nature owe their existence to their ability to change and adapt to change. Creatures that resist change are eliminated from nature; those that adapt continue their lineage in nature, continue to exist, and maintain their place in the realm of existence. We all know that this is the law of nature.
Social change is similar to the laws of nature. Whether we like it or not, our environment, our conditions, our relationships, our position change. Life forces us to change constantly, and for humans, those who cannot adapt to change perish. Despite knowing this, the human mind finds it difficult to accept change. Most people see the environment they are in as if it will never change, try to maintain the status quo instead of adapting to changing conditions, and resist change.
In order to manage change, it is first necessary to understand the reasons behind resistance to change. The biggest obstacle to change is ongoing habits. Habits are so strong that most people find it difficult to overcome them. Managing change and being successful means being able to overcome the habits that hold you captive. Change cannot succeed if the leader remains in the background. Any social change movement with strong leadership guarantees success from the beginning.
We are often ruled by our habits. Change threatens people's sense of security because every change is accompanied by uncertainty. Changes whose reasons are not well explained, changes without sufficient information about their content, and demands for change create uneasiness and fear in people who do not understand change. Not knowing what the change will bring, not being informed, increases people's resistance to change.
Therefore, effective communication is necessary to manage change. Effective and continuous communication is essential for change to be accepted. It is necessary to inform people about every stage of the change, listen sincerely to possible reactions, try to understand the problems and create a sincere communication environment.
In order to reduce resistance to change, it is necessary to involve the people who will be affected by the change in all processes of change to the extent possible. Increasing participation is the most effective method to reduce resistance. In particular, involving those who will be most affected by the change in the planning and implementation stages of the change reduces potential resistance. Everyone who is part of the change is less anxious and accepts change more easily.
One reason for resistance to change is that every change reorganizes human relationships. People also react differently to change depending on how they perceive and interpret the world.
Some people have a more conservative personality and are by nature more cautious about change than others, and do not like change very much.
Others have personalities and characters that are open to change. These people like and embrace change in principle.
Those who manage change need to manage these feelings in people as well. Not only individual differences, but also the culture of a society determines people's attitudes towards change.
Some societies embrace change while others are closed to it. Turkish culture has a flexible structure with little resistance to change. Therefore, while it is more difficult to manage change in most Western societies, it is easier to manage change in Turkey.
Every change also changes the balance of power. As a rule, as a result of every change, some people lose power while others become more powerful. Those who will be personally harmed by change naturally resist it. Fear of losing one's power and income increases resistance to change.
Understanding that change makes people uneasy for one reason or another is the most important condition for managing change. Sincerely supporting and helping people who resist change is the key difference between well-managed change and poorly managed change. Ignoring or punishing those who show resistance will not eliminate resistance and may increase panic.
People need to recognize that life is about change. The important thing for all of us is to realize that it is time for change and to manage change without wasting time. Change works and is successful if it happens at the right time. If the timing is missed, the change is worthless. Change after it is too late will have no effect. Nature teaches us that being flexible is the most important force in adapting to change.
It is natural for change to encounter resistance. The most important task of every leader who manages change is to manage this resistance in people and pave the way for change. It is not possible to realize change without eliminating resistance.
With respect and love.
