In the context of social psychology, what is an effective way for a team to respond to resistance to organizational change?

• A. Punish those who resist the change to discourage further opposition
• B. Engage in open communication to address concerns and involve team members in the change process
• C. Implement the change abruptly without providing any explanation or rationale
• D. Ignore the resistance and proceed with the change without acknowledging team members' feelings

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that resistance to organizational change is a common psychological reaction due to uncertainty, fear, or perceived loss of control.
2. Recognize that effective change management involves addressing the emotional and cognitive concerns of team members rather than ignoring or punishing resistance.
3. Promote open communication by encouraging team members to express their concerns and questions about the change, which helps reduce anxiety and builds trust.
4. Involve team members in the change process by seeking their input and participation, which increases their sense of ownership and reduces resistance.
5. Avoid abrupt implementation or ignoring resistance, as these approaches can increase opposition and reduce the likelihood of successful change adoption.