Change happens whether we want it or not. Great leaders are often those who can manage the resistance to change and find ways to overcome opposition.
Opposing change is a natural human behavior. Many fear change because of the ambiguity and risk that comes with it. On the other hand, entrepreneurial ventures involve taking risks to improve your organization’s performance. This risk means that your team members will only sometimes be on board with the choices you make for your organization.
Here, you’ll have to learn to manage resistance to change of your team as its leader and keep everyone on board during transitions.
Entrepreneurs As Leaders
The word entrepreneur is widely used to refer to individuals that overtake risky financial ventures to implement their vision. Any person with a unique idea for a service or product that they try to implement for their customer’s benefit can be an entrepreneur.
The successful execution of a plan and its realization require a high level of commitment and effort. A leading entrepreneur must be patient and determined. They should be able to make logical decisions under pressure, be passionate about their cause, and, most importantly, work well with a team.
Apart from hard work and dedication, teamwork is also essential for entrepreneurial success. You cannot acquire outstanding achievements alone. This is why a successful entrepreneur needs a dedicated team of qualified and responsible people to help them achieve their goals. Naturally, this demands that a good entrepreneur must also be a good leader.
Managing Resistance to Change
Some people are inherently good organizers and leaders; however, there is always room for improvement. Sometimes you need external help from courses and organizations, such as Hone, that can guide young entrepreneurs in the right direction.
You must successfully fill your leadership role and push your team towards a change. Learning some tried and tested methods can help you if you’re a novice entrepreneur looking to be a better leader. Here are a few tips on how great leaders handle resistance to change in their organizations.
1. Communicate Clearly
Eliminate vagueness when communicating newer ideas. Many people resist change because they have no clear image of what the change entails. The lack of effective communication between you and your team can easily obscure your ideas. If your team has yet to have a concrete idea about your plan, they are bound to have reservations about it. This confusion will naturally cause them to oppose your view. Effective communication is necessary to ease the changing process.
2. Introduce Change in Steps
Rapid change always bears the most resistance, especially if you’re an entrepreneur leading a large company. If you have a large team, you will face more difficulties trying to change your operations. As a leader, you must make the transition easy for your team. Divide the transition process into smaller steps. This will allow you to push your team towards your desired goal gradually and successfully.
3. Identify the Cause of Resistance
Adapting to change is a complicated process. Sometimes your teammates and colleagues have personal reasons to resist change. These can range from a lack of awareness and inclusion to a fear of uncertainty and impact. The first step to overcoming such reservations is to identify causes of resistance on time.
Know that adaptation to change is an individual process, so you should address problems individually. For this purpose, it is crucial to have personal conversations with the people you manage. This will allow you to know their opinions beforehand, so you can take preventive measures to facilitate their adaptation.
Endnote
Entrepreneurial success does not come easy, and an entrepreneur is required to play the role of a good leader. One of the most demanding challenges many entrepreneurs face is opposition and resistance to change. Effective communication, a gradual introduction to change, and identifying the causes of resistance can assist you in the transition process.
