The Emotional Side of Organisational Change

Most people shy away from emotion, especially at work. Yet, when it comes to leading change, emotion is exactly what leaders can’t afford to ignore. This book lifts the lid on the part of change leadership that’s so often overlooked: how people feel. It explores why emotions drive behaviour, how they shape reactions to change, and what leaders can do to turn emotional resistance into resilience and momentum. Change has become business as usual but that doesn’t mean leaders know how to manage it well. Too often, feelings are dismissed, ignored, or avoided altogether, leaving people demotivated and disengaged. And change is no longer a one-off event; it’s constant. Every leader, regardless of role or industry, needs to navigate shifting priorities, structures, and expectations. But while the pace of change has accelerated, our ability to deal with its emotional impact has not. This book offers a proven, people-first approach to leading change that works and puts understanding, empathy, and foresight at the heart of the process. Drawing on cutting-edge behavioural research and tested in organisations around the world, The Emotional Side of Organizational Change: How to Survive and Thrive is both practical and powerful. It combines foresight tools like horizon scanning and trend analysis with organisational development insights to help leaders design change that sticks for both the business and the people within it. Whether you’re a functional business leader, HR professional, or change-maker, this book shows you how to navigate constant change with confidence, lead people through uncertainty, and build an organisation that’s truly future-ready.