A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with a colleague. He told me that he recognized himself in my article but hesitated to like it. Why? Because it would become visible in his ‘bubble.’ That remark stuck with me. How many people feel unsafe openly supporting something?
That got me thinking. I decided to create a post titled “Safe” to challenge people to embrace change. I had no expectations, just curiosity about what it would spark. Below, you can see the analytics of that post.
What stood out? Many impressions, but hardly any interaction. People read it, but they didn’t dare to visibly engage. This confirmed my suspicion: safety plays a crucial role in behavioral change. But I had another step in mind.
The next post was titled: “Help me move this big rock.” A direct call to action. And the results? See the analytics below.
Much more interaction! This didn’t surprise me. Helping others is deeply ingrained in our nature. Evolution has programmed us to collaborate. In fact, scientific research shows that our brain releases endorphins when we help someone. This creates a good feeling and encourages us to help more often.
And I took it a step further. On Monday, March 3rd, I personally thanked and acknowledged all the “likers.” Bam! Another endorphin boost! This strengthens the effect: people feel rewarded and are more likely to help again next time.
But what about those who don’t feel safe?
Not everyone feels safe enough to respond or participate. And that’s exactly where we can make a difference. We can create a safe environment through respect, openness, and kindness. With safety comes trust. And that trust is the key to making change possible, both in personal and organizational challenges.
Change Starts with You
If we all wait for someone else to act, nothing happens. Change is not a top-down rule. Just look at world leaders: some try to force change, creating resistance. Others inspire, which is far more effective.
As a change manager, I want to inspire people to embrace change naturally. There is no single perfect way. You keep fine-tuning, just like tuning an instrument until you get the right sound. And you? How do you deal with change?