Change and Resistance Help for the Practitioner of Change

Change and the resistance to change has been a common occurrence probably since before recorded time. It is normal to resist that which may bring unfamiliarity and the unknown into ones life. As people, who in the course of our professions frequently create change we know there will be resistance. Often though, we do not know how to avoid resistance or at least minimize it. What is a person to do, where do they start? In an effort to help the practitioner this paper will summarize the findings of a selection of relevant articles, both the 'whys' of resistance and the 'what to do's'. Then we will look at three models of change management. The hope is that with this information the practitioner will be better equipped to guide the change to a satisfactory conclusion for all involved.