Anxiety leads to stress and the increases the likelihood of resistance to change. Leaders need to work overtime to create certainty in uncertain times, through vision, honest communication and leading by example. This in turn reduces anxiety, builds trust and boosts support.

They communicate the ‘big picture’ context for change and draw people towards a compelling vision of the future. They engage people with the benefits to them, their colleagues and their organisation. People need a compelling sense of purpose if they are going to stick with change through the ups and downs of transitioning to new ways of working.

At work we become attached to our organisation, our colleagues and customers, the way we do things, and even our workspace. Key to successful change is instilling new habits and routines and finding ways to help people avoid the temptation to slip back into old ways of working. Simple systematic tools are available to help people break old attachments and take on new attitudes and behaviours for the long run.