June is the unofficial sponsor of change. With graduations, weddings, and some of the highest birth rates of the year, June symbolizes new beginnings. Unlike these celebratory events, not all changes are met with pomp and circumstance…especially those in the workplace. This tool can help you (and your organization) be better prepared, and more open to, organizational changes.

“Change is scary. You can leave yours here.”

I laugh every time I see this note scribbled on a restaurant tip jar.

Businesswoman hand holding wooden cube with flip block CHANGE to CHANCE word on table background. success, strategy, solution, business and Positive thinking concepts

Creative puns aside, the month of June seems to be the unofficial sponsor of change. With it comes the end of the school year, and a wedding or baby shower every weekend. These are all major life changes that are worthy of celebration, despite all of the unknowns that may lie ahead.

Businesswoman hand holding wooden cube with flip block CHANGE to CHANCE word on table background. success, strategy, solution, business and Positive thinking conceptsHowever, as the tip jar quip so poignantly points out, change can be scary. Whether it’s fear of the unknown or, even worse, fear of repeating previous missteps, it can sometimes be completely debilitating. In the workplace, these anxieties can result in missed opportunities at best, and a culture of resistance towards progress at worst.

Resistance to change in the workplace is fairly common. Our brains are wired for self-preservation, to which change is often perceived as a threat. If leadership has failed to earn the trust of its employees by way of poor communication or weak engagement, any proposed change will be met with nay-saying and feet-dragging. Changes made in these environments are never slated for success.

Yes, trust is huge, especially when trying to implement change. We’ve seen workplace cultures that are exclusive, employees that feel unseen or undervalued, and organizations with poor talent retention – all because organizations didn’t realize how weak (or nonexistent) trust was in their workplace culture.

That’s why Bright Places developed its Culture Gap Risk Assessment tool, to help identify potential pitfalls in your workplace culture and address issues that could be limiting your organization’s success. Risks are often under the surface. This free assessment tool will help you see beyond that first layer, after which you can more intentionally establish a path forward (preferably with your team’s support behind you!).

Perhaps the change you’re currently resistant to is the prospect of entrepreneurship. Our Exit Planned program is designed just for you. Developed and led by real entrepreneurs, you’ll get guidance and practical advice from real-life experience, not theoretical concepts. Let’s chat and see if Exit Planned is right for you!

Want to learn more?

Resistance To Change In Organizations Comes From These 5 Factors

How to Deal With Resistance to Change

What's happening?

Introducing LaVada's Newest Children's Book: "Kyla Believes"

Coming July 2023!

“Kyla Believes” is a whimsically illustrated narrative that stand in the face of any preconceived notions of what a beautiful brown girl can grow to achieve and become.

Get ready to embark on a magical journey with LaVada’s enchanting creation, “Kyla Believes.” This captivating children’s book is inspired by LaVada’s beloved little cousin and beautifully illustrates the limitless possibilities for a beautiful brown girl to achieve and become.

Through whimsical illustrations and a heartfelt narrative, “Kyla Believes” defies any preconceived notions and challenges the boundaries of imagination. It celebrates the power of belief and determination, encouraging children to dream big and embrace their unique potential.

Prepare to be swept away by the charm and wonder of “Kyla Believes” as it touches the hearts of children and adults alike. Don’t miss the highly anticipated launch of this extraordinary tale in July 2023, as LaVada shares her heartfelt message of empowerment and inspiration with the world.

Train-the-Trainer Toolkits

Are you looking for ways to refresh or even revolutionize the way you teach leadership and team synergy topics to your team? Our highly-anticipated Comprehensive Train-the-Trainer Toolkits are launching soon!

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our Comprehensive Train the Trainer Toolkit series!

At Bright Places, we value your needs and strive to empower you to deliver impactful training sessions. That’s why our toolkits have been meticulously designed to equip you with everything necessary to teach crucial leadership and team synergy topics effectively.

Our toolkits cover a wide range of essential subjects, including EQ, conflict management, equity and inclusion, DEI council and leadership techniques, strategic planning processes, and more. But what sets our offering apart is the comprehensive education we provide.

Each toolkit includes interactive tutorial videos, insightful expert interviews and advice, and an exploration of statistically found internal biases, necessary change management education, adult learning theory, and cultural impact. We go beyond the surface, delving into the complexities of resistance in the room and across the organization.

One of the key highlights of our program is our focus on adaptability. We understand that every training session is unique, and learners have diverse needs. Our train-the-trainer toolkits empower instructors to pivot seamlessly and cater to the specific requirements of learners in the room. In other words, this will be an extraordinary training experience, far beyond your average train-the-trainer toolkit.

Get ready for an immersive learning journey like no other! Mark your calendars for the grand launch in July 2023. Stay tuned for more updates and be prepared to take your training and facilitation skills to new heights with Bright Places’ Comprehensive Train the Trainer toolkit series.

Did you know?

We know that criticism and other overt, negative behaviors can indicate that your team is not on board with proposed changes. Did you know, however, that there are invisible signs of resistance to change? If a member of your team has begun to show confusion or disorientation, it’s possible they’re neurologically (and even unconsciously) struggling to cope.

On the blog

As the only black female on her team, Jordan was constantly targeted with microaggressions. Her colleagues often made insensitive comments, such as assuming that she was the diversity hire or implying that she was only there to fill a quota. Initially, Jordan brushed off these comments and actions. However, over time, she began to feel the effects. Read “Let’s not label her post traumatic stress disorder as imposter syndrome” on the blog.