Hi @Carol Majewski‚! Thank yo so much for reaching out and happy to try and address this.
Resistance to change is tough. When I have someone being vocal, I feel like they are (generally speaking) processing their fear. Their brain is screaming (for whatever reason) ALERT! ALERT! STAY CLEAR! This also usually puts them in a position to not be able to clearly articulate what their actual concern is. They need and want to be seen and heard and someone witness their fear and angst. I get it. It's a fundamental human need and so we try to address as best we can.
When they're in that mode, it's best to just be a reassuring voice and don't try to "solve' anything until you're able to get clarity on what it is exactly that's driving them to be so loud and vocal.
Best case scenario - you're able to slowly (it might take meeting a few times) work with the person and get that clarity. It's important in these conversations, you allow them to air as much as you can and just really listen and validate and seek to understand. That's always your best tool for allowing them move to past the emotion to a more logical place. Then, as you feel you can, try to narrow in on what it is exactly that's hindering them from wanting to get on board. Sometimes the process of seeking clarity can be uncomfortable b/c the person slowly realizes that they don't have a "real" business concern. Rather, they're just feeling out of sorts about the change itself. Which is completely normal and ok and worth exploration in and of itself. Sometimes, we just need a space to talk about how the enormous amount of change is impacting us.
I also think in these one on one settings, after you've laid a foundation for trust and understanding, to ask - what's it going to take to get you on board? Use this with caution, though - you know the person and trust your gut instincts if this is a good play or not. But sometimes, folks will just straight up tell you and you're able to form an ally b/c you're willing to go to work for what they want/ need. Even if you can't actually make it happen.
I'm curious - is the person generally loud and vocal or has been in the past? Or perhaps it's the COVID situation that's rocked their foundation so they're already on high alert and another change rolling to them feels really scary.
Let me know your thoughts! Hope this helps!
