Have you ever wondered why so many people resist change, whether it’s adopting a new computer system at the office or giving their new aerobics instructor the benefit of the doubt?

Major change forces people outside their comfort zone, upsetting their emotional equilibrium and triggering unconscious fear and anxiety. There’s a good reason for this. When we’re faced with something new or different – even if we’re consciously looking forward to the change – the “old” primitive part of our brain that is focused on survival goes into high alert. By trying to protect us from unpredictability and chaos, both emotionally and physically, our brain pressures us to make decisions that are “safe” – even if they’re not necessarily logical, well thought out, or innovative.

• Let’s take a look at the mind of a person who is in a state of fear compared to a person who is relaxed and thriving.

• In a fearful state, the survival brain is hyper-vigilant, focused on the easiest escape route, the strategy to gain an upper hand, or the means to ameliorate the ferocity of a perceived enemy – be it a person or a situation. It’s guided by the amygdala, which is responsible for the defensive behaviors of fight or flight, freeze or appease.
• On the other hand, in a relaxed state, the cerebral cortex – the logical, analytical “new” part of the brain – is in charge. Feeling safe, the cerebral cortex is able to take it’s time, savor a moment, consider the pros and cons of a variety of options, create art, and think outside the box while remaining sure and calm.

The problem is that when the old brain perceives a threat, it hijacks the cerebral cortex and sends it on vacation. So, even though we may feel as if we are making logical decisions, we’re unconsciously saying and doing things designed to stabilize the situation and return us to a feeling of safety. As long as the new brain is on vacation – and the crusty old amygdala in charge – it’s much less likely than an individual or organization will be able to navigate change successfully.