No Thanks!

This picture continues to be one of my professional favorites.

"No thanks. We are all set."

"No thanks. We are not looking to change our current process."

"No thanks. Our current solution is working."

We are all so resistant to change. So resistant that when someone presents a better solution, our knee-jerk reaction is resistance. "No thanks".

There are many reasons for the resistance:

1. Misunderstanding about the need for change--if someone doesn't understand the need, we can expect resistance. Especially if that person strongly believes the way they do things has worked well---for the last 25 years!
2. They are connected to the old way of doing things--there is an emotional connection to the old way and the person that taught them the task. People fear departure from the "status quo"--Implementing change is a departure from the "way it's always been done".
3. Fear of the unknown--Many people prefer things to stay the way they are. There is a fear of uncharted territory.

Change is risky in any situation. Imagine if the cavemen were resistant to the innovative caveman with the round wheels. What if they continued to push that cart on those square wheels? Sure, they'd get the job done but at what cost?

Don't be too resistant (or too busy) to innovate. Paychex has the round wheel!