How can you manage program staff members who resist change?

Change is inevitable in any organization, especially in the non-profit sector where resources, needs, and opportunities are constantly evolving. However, not everyone is comfortable or enthusiastic about change, and some program staff members may resist it for various reasons. How can you manage program staff members who resist change and foster a culture of adaptability and innovation in your non-profit? Here are some tips to help you overcome the challenges of change management and lead your program staff effectively.

Find expert answers in this collaborative article

Selected by the community from 3 contributions. Learn more

1 Understand the reasons for resistance

The first step to manage program staff members who resist change is to understand why they are reluctant or opposed to it. Some common reasons for resistance include fear of losing control, status, or security; lack of trust in the leadership or the change process; attachment to the status quo or the existing routines; or misunderstanding or disagreement with the purpose or benefits of the change. By listening to their concerns, acknowledging their emotions, and empathizing with their perspectives, you can gain insight into their motivations and address their issues more effectively.

Add your perspective

Larissa Verbitskaya

Mentor NGO, social entrepreneurs 🔅GESI expert🔅Ethics Advisor 🔅 CEO UkraineNow.ch.
Report contribution
If employees are involved in the decision-making process and understand the need for change, they are more likely to become allies. Communicate openly about the need for change: is it a problem, a new project or a change in technology? Before making a change, show why it is important and how the organisation will benefit. Give people a voice, involve them in the planning of change, and let them take responsibility for areas or processes. Make employees active champions of change.

Like

2 Communicate the vision and the value

The second step to manage program staff members who resist change is to communicate the vision and the value of the change clearly and consistently. You need to explain the rationale, the goals, and the expected outcomes of the change, and how it aligns with the mission, vision, and values of your non-profit. You also need to highlight the benefits and opportunities that the change will bring for your program staff, your clients, and your stakeholders, and how it will help you achieve greater impact and sustainability. By communicating the vision and the value of the change, you can inspire and persuade your program staff to embrace it and support it.

Add your perspective

3 Involve and empower your program staff

The third step to manage program staff members who resist change is to involve and empower them in the change process. You can do this by soliciting their feedback, input, and suggestions on how to implement the change, and incorporating their ideas and opinions into the decision-making and planning. You can also assign them roles and responsibilities that leverage their strengths, skills, and interests, and give them autonomy and ownership over their tasks and outcomes. By involving and empowering your program staff, you can increase their buy-in, engagement, and commitment to the change.

Add your perspective

4 Provide training and support

The fourth step to manage program staff members who resist change is to provide them with adequate training and support to help them adapt and thrive in the new situation. You can do this by offering them opportunities to learn new skills, knowledge, or tools that are relevant and useful for the change, and by providing them with coaching, mentoring, or peer support to guide them through the transition. You can also recognize and reward their efforts, achievements, and improvements, and celebrate their successes and milestones. By providing training and support, you can boost their confidence, competence, and satisfaction with the change.

Add your perspective

5 Monitor and evaluate the change

The fifth step to manage program staff members who resist change is to monitor and evaluate the change and its impact on your program staff, your clients, and your organization. You can do this by collecting and analyzing data, feedback, and testimonials that measure the progress, performance, and outcomes of the change, and by comparing them with the baseline, the targets, and the expectations. You can also solicit and incorporate suggestions for improvement, modification, or adjustment of the change, and communicate the results and the lessons learned to your program staff and other stakeholders. By monitoring and evaluating the change, you can demonstrate its effectiveness, value, and sustainability, and foster a culture of learning and innovation in your non-profit.

Add your perspective

Larissa Verbitskaya

Mentor NGO, social entrepreneurs 🔅GESI expert🔅Ethics Advisor 🔅 CEO UkraineNow.ch.
Report contribution
Try to find mentors for those employees who have a hard time with change. We are different and learn at different speeds. Use mentoring and coaching for those who need help. This will make the relationships in the team more trusting. And an important point: give your employees the right to make mistakes. Today we discussed with my mentees how the fear of making mistakes blocks change. Be open and praise for mistakes. Why? I'll be writing an article about this today. Сheck out my profile))

Like

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

How can you manage program staff members who resist change?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Understand the reasons for resistance

2 Communicate the vision and the value

3 Involve and empower your program staff

4 Provide training and support

5 Monitor and evaluate the change

6 Here’s what else to consider

Nonprofit Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Nonprofit Management

More relevant reading

How can you manage program staff members who resist change?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Understand the reasons for resistance

2 Communicate the vision and the value

3 Involve and empower your program staff

4 Provide training and support

5 Monitor and evaluate the change

6 Here’s what else to consider

Nonprofit Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills