How do we deal with life members and people who do not want change? 

Welcome to today's EMS leadership, Q & A. And a question we received is how do we deal with life members that may be resisting change or that, how do we deal with people that don't want change? And I think in general, Lisa, you and I have talked about like, people really resist change that they have no say in, right.

That they maybe just aren't feeling valued or heard in an organization. Yeah. And you know, sometimes with long-term folks, you know, if they've seen a lot of change and they've been disappointed. And so I think it's really important to get curious as to why they're resisting the change. Are we just labeling them as resistant or thinking that's just who they are.

I think it's really important to interview people and get their perspective. And when we listen to them, rather than listening through the label that we have of them like, Oh, they're stubborn or resistant, actually listened to learn, you know, versus coming from a know it all perspective, or I already know who they are. So, and when you have the opportunity to really co-create a future,

or co-create the change with people that makes the difference. And that goes back to what you said, which is people resist change, that they don't feel a part of when it feels like it's just being done to them. But if you can help them see the context or the purpose of that change, it's, it's not changed for the sake of change or,

you know, like I said, people feel that the change they've seen so much change and you know, it hasn't turned out the way they thought it would. And, and likely they have a good insight as to why that happened. You know, it's easy to get cynical when you've been around a long time and, and, and seen a lot of things fail.

So if you can approach folks with curiosity and listen without being defensive, but actually listen for what, what can you learn from these folks and their, their perspective? I think that, that people are more open to possibly being on board. Absolutely. And, and in your listening will influence those people and the way that they start to react and respond in the future to you,

it doesn't take that active telling. We've got a great article on this three easy tips on how to get engaged, enthusiastic people in your organization that will link to below. And one way to get value or have people feel valued is to learn, to listen, to learn to, you know, with them because they feel like, Oh, my expertise,

my history is being valued versus yeah, exactly. And if you have a question to submit, send it over to support@emsleadershipacademy.com or you can leave us a voicemail, (888) 330-8288. We'd love to hear from you. Thanks so much.