Resisting change

Several things happened this week that tested my own resistance to change. I've often said that people are happy enough to change as long as they have had a part in the decisions and it is somewhat within their control. Often they are not party to the decision and neither is it within their control. As happened to me.

I talk of change in four categories (not ideal but serves to illustrate):

• Continuous not very planned incremental change e.g. Organizational members leaving and joining an organization as part of normal staff turnover
• Intermittent but planned incremental change e.g. Hand written letters, typed letters, email, social media
• Continuous not very planned radical change e.g. Stream of policy changes, leadership changes, restructurings, acquisitions, etc.
• Intermittent planned radical change e.g. Whole office move to new building

During the past week I've experienced all four types and for all my knowledge of 'change management' I find that this has not been a comfortable experience. Indeed, I observe myself resisting the changes in all sorts of not very helpful ways.