Change happens, sometimes daily, in business. Being able to adapt is a core competency for many occupations.
Assessing your level of resistance to change can be the first step in determining if this is a competency that could be built through professional development options.
Quiz on Resistance to Change
For the following questions, rate how much you agree with the statement (1 = strongly disagree, 10 = strongly agree).
- When my company or organization’s management announces a new initiative, my immediate reaction is, “Here we go again, wasting time, energy and money. Why can’t we just stick to what we are doing now? It seems to work fine to me!”
- When I am asked to go to a trade show or convention, I often find any excuse I can to avoid participating. It will be the same old things – nothing new.
- My company has a professional development and training program but I have no idea what it is or how I access training. I have no interest in taking courses.
- I do not subscribe to any industry magazines, RSS feeds or newsletters. If I need to know something, I rely on management to inform me.
- I never participate in industry networking events. Business networking events are a waste of time.
- If I am stuck on a project, I go to my boss. Why waste time researching or discussing my business problem with colleagues or industry peers?
- I rarely go to the library. We may have a corporate library but I have no idea how to access the materials.
- I do not monitor the best sellers list for my industry.
- I rarely use internet search engines to research new options.
- I don’t suggest new ideas or solutions to problems. It is up to my boss to find solutions and improve business processes. I just implement whatever he/she suggests.
- I don’t use the latest technological advances such as electronic calendars unless I am forced to. I don’t see any advantages in new technology – gadgets and software just complicates things.
- I have no idea what is currently being taught in my industry’s programs educational institutions.
Determining Your Level of Resistance to Change
Once you have rated each statement from 1-10, total your score.
- If your total score was between 80-120, you love change and thrive in a dynamic environment. You are an idea person. You constantly see ways to improve systems and products. If your score is above 100 points, be careful that you don’t initiate change projects for the sake of change and not to truly improve business processes.
- If your total score was between 40-79, you are cautious about change. You are careful to analyze the change and decide for yourself if the change is warranted. If the change can be justified in your mind, you will champion the cause and happily adapt. If you think the change initiative isn’t based on sound logic and reasoning, you may show signs of resistance.
- If your total score was less than 39, you need to work on your pessimism towards innovation and improving business processes. Your failure to adapt to change can be seen as a negative aspect of your personality and it may cost you a promotion or continued employment. Remember that businesses much change to remain competitive. Try to see the positives in change initiatives.
The copyright of the article Quiz on Resistance to Change in Skill Assessment is owned by Joni Rose. Permission to republish Quiz on Resistance to Change in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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