How to overcome resistance to change and manage a project

Address for correspondence: G. and S. Rozencweig, 1 rue Thiers, 38000 Grenoble.

Abstract

Change is inevitable: it occurs in every domain and we should realize that it doesn’t work as a one-time leap forward but is, instead, an on-going process. And as an underlying principle we should also understand that planned and well executed development is always preferable to abrupt changes that are imposed by external forces. By exercising ceaseless vigilance we can prepare in advance for the improvements that we must make to keep our offices up to date.

In all organizations, resistance to change is built into the behavior of every staff member. Management should take this factor into account and establish ways of dealing with it in each pro ject that is undertaken. Every activity requires the voluntary and active participation of all members of the office team. As the group leader, the practitioner must define the needs, outline the fra mework of the action, dissolve resistance, and provide the breathing room that is indispensable in stimulating voluntary and motivated cooperation of participants.