Signs of Resistance in the Workplace

Have you ever heard the phrase “That’s the way that we have always done it”? It implies things should stay the way that they are and there must be a good old reason for why things are the way that they are. I have heard this phrase numerous times and I’ve learned to ask “Why do you think things are the way they are and they can’t change?” Sometimes I get a good reason, but other times I get an awkward glance or silence.  This can be a sign of resistance.  Before we deal with resistance, it’s important to learn to recognize it.  Resistance manifests itself in many forms and in daily situations all the time.

It is many times safe to assume that with anything new, there is always going to be some level of resistance. So, what are some of the signs?

1. Age in the organization – This really depends on the person and how much people are set in their ways. I know people who can memorize the sequence of keystrokes they use when they are trying to enter something into the system. You can also have someone that has been in the organization for 25 years and they become your champion for change. For people that have become set in their ways, it is easy to sense how resistant they will be based on their response to the idea or change.
2. How people react and respond to the idea or change – Pay attention to this. It might sound obvious, but it’s very important. People are your biggest advocate – they either make or break a great idea. Therefore, if you are implementing something new or bring forth a new idea, how do people respond? Are they positive and inquisitive? Do they immediately relate to how this will cause a ton of more work? Do they smile? How do they talk about the idea with others? Does it take them long to realize the benefits of the change?
3. Vested interest based on their role and relevance – Is the idea relevant and/or significant to the person? Do you think many times new ideas and change initiatives are more successful when people have a vested interest in making it happen?  Whether or not there is a drive that causes them to motivate the implementation of the idea is also something to be aware of. It is often difficult to find an advocate with a vested interest because it takes time.
4. Previous experiences – People associate with life based on experiences they’ve had in the past. This is true when we bring new ideas to live in our organizations as well. I was implementing a new technology several years ago, and a large number of people reflected in the past of how successful the technology was in the previous organizations they’ve worked in. The reason past experiences become important is because this can easily backfire too. Someone can have a negative experience about something and associate it with the new idea or implementation, which can cause resistance.
5. Significance and relevance – Resistance usually arises when people are uncomfortable with an idea or they may not see the significance or relevancy to them. This can occur because there is a lack of information and relevant application of an idea in their world. A lack of understanding can also be a contributing factor as well. If people don’t understand the purpose and how to apply the concept in their context, it is likely to create resistance.

Now, hopefully you have several signs that talk about how to recognize resistance. Next week, we’ll see how to deal with each of these signs and maybe even help mitigate it.

Purvi Bodawala is part of the GovLoop Featured Blogger program, where we feature blog posts by government voices from all across the country (and world!). To see more Featured Blogger posts, click here.