Behavioral reaction to change
Name
MMSL 6000 - Dynamic Leadership
2022
Behavioral reaction to change.
How employees perceive a change greatly affects how they react to it. If employees cannot
foresee how the change will affect them, they will resist the change or be neutral, at best. If
employees clearly see that the change is not compatible with their needs and aspirations, they
will resist the change. If employees see that the change is going to take place regardless of their
objections, they may initially resist the change and then resignedly accept it. If employees see
that the change is in their best interests, they will be motivated to accept it. In spite of attempts to
minimize the resistance to change in an organization, some reactions to change are inevitable.
Negative reactions may be manifested in overt behaviour, or change may be resisted more
passively. People show four basic, identifiable reactions to change: disengagement,
disidentification, disenchantment, and disorientation. Managers can use interventions to deal
with these reactions (Waddell and Sohal, 1998).
According to Waddell and Sohal, (1998), is psychological withdrawal fromDisengagement
change. The employee may appear to lose initiative and interest in the job. Employees who
disengage may fear the change but take on the approach of doing nothing and simply hoping for
the best.
The basic managerial strategy for dealing with disengaged individuals is to confront them with
their reaction and draw them out so that they can identify the concerns that need to be addressed.
Drawing them out and helping them air their feelings can lead to productive discussions.
Disengaged people seldom become cheerleaders for the change, but they can be brought closer to
accepting and working with a change by open communication with an emphatic manager who is
willing to listen.
Another reaction to change is Individuals reacting in this way feel that theirdisidentification.
identity has been threatened by the change, and they feel very vulnerable. Many times they cling
