EP036: How To Lead Through Anxiety Episode Description
They Are Not Resisting The Change. They Are ProtectingSomething.
What if the employee you’ve labelled as “resistant”is actually trying to protect something important?
Their role. Their status. Their competence. Their identity.Their sense of security. Their future.
Course Link: https: From Resistance To Readiness: Turn Your Middle Managers Into Your Strongest Change Asset //maven.com/c-msimplified/from-resistance-to-readiness
In this episode, we explore the psychology of workplaceanxiety during organisational change and what leaders often miss when people respond with resistance, silence, frustration, cynicism, withdrawal or disengagement.
When roles change, organisational structures are redesigned,processes are replaced and new skills are expected, people are not simply being asked to “embrace change.” They are being asked to navigate uncertainty, loss, identity, capability and trust.
We explore:
🔹 Why anxiety can look like resistance
🔹What is really happening when people push back against change
🔹How leaders can recognise hidden fear and uncertainty
🔹Why “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine” can make things worse
🔹How to have better conversations about anxiety at work
🔹The role of psychological safety, trust and control
🔹How leaders can reduce cognitive overload during transformation
🔹How to help people build confidence in new roles and skills
🔹When a leader should support, escalate or seek specialist help
The leadership question is not: “How do I get people tostop resisting?”
It is:
“What is creating the threat, what do they need tounderstand, and what can I help them control?”
If you lead organisational change, transformation,restructuring, digital change, culture change or teams going through uncertainty, this conversation is for you.
#Leadership #ChangeManagement #ChangeLeadership #OrganizationalChange #WorkplaceAnxiety #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #Transformation #LeadershipDevelopment #ChangeFatigue #EmployeeExperience #PeopleLeadership #WorkplacePsychology #FutureOfWork #OrganizationalPsychology
