How to Overcome Resistance to Change in High-Stakes Situations

How to Reduce Fear and Anxiety Around Workplace Change

If your business needs to change, but your people don’t want to, the process will be slow, stressful, and deliver mediocre results at best.

For many employees, change triggers fear and anxiety. They worry about job security, increased workload, new responsibilities, or failing to keep up. And when fear takes over, resistance follows.

But fear isn’t an obstacle—it’s a signal. It means people need clarity, support, and practical tools to navigate change with confidence.

The good news? Leaders can help employees manage change-related fear before it becomes a roadblock.

Why Change Causes Fear (and How It Affects Performance)

Fear and anxiety around change aren’t just emotional reactions—they have real consequences for performance and engagement.

❌ Productivity drops as employees focus on uncertainty instead of their work
❌ Innovation stalls because people avoid taking risks
❌ Stress increases, leading to burnout and turnover
❌ Company culture weakens as uncertainty breeds negativity

On the other hand, when employees feel equipped to handle change, they:

✅ Adapt faster with less stress
✅ Engage more fully in new processes
✅ Contribute ideas instead of holding back
✅ Feel more committed to the organization’s success

How to Help Employees Move from Fear to Confidence

Julian Mather, a motivational speaker on change and leadership, knows firsthand what it’s like to fear change. He once thought he was terrible at it—but by building the right mindset and habits, he transformed himself:

✅ Average shot → Army sniper
✅ Home movies → National Geographic cameraman
✅ Fumbling card tricks → Professional magician
✅ Never swinging a hammer → Building a home
✅ High school dropout → Published author
✅ Business rookie → Building and selling a company
✅ Stutterer → Motivational speaker

What he learned is simple: Fear of change is normal—but it doesn’t have to hold you back.

Here’s how leaders can help their teams navigate fear and anxiety during change:

1. Acknowledge and Normalize Fear

Ignoring fear doesn’t make it go away—it amplifies it. Leaders need to:

✅ Validate concerns instead of dismissing them
✅ Encourage open discussions so employees feel heard
✅ Share their own experiences of overcoming change-related fears

When employees see that fear is normal and manageable, they feel more in control.

2. Provide Clarity and Reassurance

One of the biggest causes of change anxiety is uncertainty. Employees fear what they don’t understand.

Julian Mather’s keynote, CHANGEABILITY, helps leaders:

✅ Communicate the “why” behind change so employees feel informed
✅ Break change into small, manageable steps to reduce overwhelm
✅ Help teams shift from uncertainty to action with practical strategies

3. Give People a Sense of Control

People fear change when they feel powerless. Leaders can reduce anxiety by:

✅ Involving employees in the change process
✅ Encouraging problem-solving rather than passive waiting
✅ Providing flexibility where possible to allow smoother transitions

When employees feel they have some control over how change happens, their fear decreases.

4. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Fear often comes from the belief that failure is not an option. Leaders can help by:

✅ Encouraging a learning mindset—mistakes are part of growth
✅ Recognizing small wins to build confidence
✅ Creating a supportive environment where adaptability is valued

Final Thoughts

Change-related fear is natural, but it doesn’t have to derail progress. With the right leadership, employees can shift from fear to resilience, making change smoother and more successful for everyone.

If your organization is struggling with change anxiety, Julian Mather’s CHANGEABILITY keynote can help your team navigate uncertainty with confidence.