How to Inspire Change Without Forcing It: The Inspired Way
- mark70486
- Jan 29
- 4 min read
How to Inspire Change Without Forcing It: The Inspired Way
Change can be one of the hardest things to achieve in any business, especially when it comes to people. Whether it’s encouraging your team to adapt to new ways of working, introducing new technology, or even shifting your own mindset, forcing change rarely works. At Inspired, we believe change is about removing barriers, not pushing harder.
We’ve helped countless opticians and businesses embrace change by focusing on understanding people—not pressuring them. Here’s how you can inspire change in your practice and make life easier for everyone involved.
1. Reduce Resistance to Change
No one likes to feel forced into something, even if it’s for their benefit. People naturally push back when they feel their freedom to choose is being taken away. So instead of saying, “This is what we need to do,” why not reframe the conversation?
Inspired Advice:
Start by involving your team in the decision-making process. Ask for their input: “What do you think we could do to make this process better?”
Present changes as options rather than ultimatums. This makes the idea feel like a collaboration rather than a directive.
2. Help People Let Go of the Old
We all have a tendency to stick with what we know. Your team might be attached to old systems or routines simply because they’re familiar. The key is to help them see the benefits of moving forward.
Inspired Advice:
Show your team how the change will make their work easier or more rewarding.
Use real-life examples to highlight success stories. For instance, share how other practices have benefitted from adopting similar changes.
3. Make Change Feel Achievable
Big changes can feel overwhelming. The larger the gap between where someone is now and where they need to go, the more likely they are to resist. Breaking it down into smaller, manageable steps can make all the difference.
Inspired Advice:
Set small, clear goals instead of tackling everything at once. For example, if you’re introducing new software, focus on mastering one feature at a time.
Celebrate every milestone. Acknowledging progress builds confidence and keeps everyone motivated.
4. Provide Clarity to Remove Doubts
One of the biggest barriers to change is uncertainty. People fear the unknown, so if you’re introducing something new, make sure you provide clarity and reassurance.
Inspired Advice:
Be transparent about why the change is necessary and what benefits it will bring.
Share clear examples or case studies to demonstrate success. For instance, if you’re updating your appointment booking system, explain how it will save time and improve patient experience.
5. Show Proof That Change Works
People are more likely to embrace change when they see that others have done it successfully. This is where social proof comes in.
Inspired Advice:
Share testimonials from other opticians or teams who’ve implemented similar changes.
Highlight results, such as improved efficiency, happier staff, or better patient outcomes. Knowing that others have thrived after making the same change can help your team feel more confident about moving forward.
6. Be a Catalyst for Change
At Inspired, we believe in leading by example. Change isn’t about being pushy or forceful—it’s about creating an environment where change feels natural. Focus on addressing what’s holding people back rather than trying to persuade them.
Inspired Advice:
Listen to your team’s concerns. Often, their resistance stems from feeling unheard.
Be patient. Change takes time, and your role is to remove obstacles and guide your team toward the desired outcome.
Key Steps to Inspire Change
We’ve developed a simple framework to help you inspire change effectively.
We call it the Inspired Way:
Reduce Resistance: Make people feel like part of the decision-making process.
Ease the Transition: Help them let go of old habits by showing the benefits of the new.
Take Small Steps: Break big changes into achievable goals.
Clarify the Vision: Provide evidence and examples to eliminate uncertainty.
Show Proof: Highlight others who’ve succeeded to build confidence.
Why It Matters
When you approach change with empathy and understanding, you’re not just making your business better—you’re creating a culture of trust and collaboration. Your team will feel valued, your patients will benefit from smoother operations, and you’ll feel the rewards of leading a practice that’s ready to embrace the future.
At Inspired, we don’t just help you find the right people for your team; we help you develop the mindset and strategies to make your business thrive. Change doesn’t have to be hard—it just needs to be done the Inspired Way.
Ready to inspire change in your practice? Let’s talk.
Mark Goode
CEO Inspired Recruitment
Mark Goode is the CEO of The Inspired Recruitment Group which originated with the inception of Inspired Selections a recruitment agency primarily focused on recruitment in the optical industry before branching out into audiology and pharmaceutical recruitment. New optical opportunities are featured daily here or if you're a business, looking for help with your recruitment needs, get in touch here
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