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One notable change that my organization implemented a few years ago that initially had resistance was when we transitioned from paper files to electronic files. I know this is not a new concept per say, however, we relied heavily on our paper contracts for years in terms of research and development and follow-on efforts. I would say that this was a cognitive or behavioral response that was exhibited. Many of my fellow teammates and I consider ourselves creatures of habit. We are not opposed to change, but part of our efficiency is creating our files in a manner that can be revisited and reused later. Therefore, we follow a similar process every time.

Therefore, the initial opposition had several valid points such as what if technology fails, what if we are hacked or malware destroys our files, what if someone deletes the electronic files are they retrievable, will there be enough information saved in the electronic files, will the electronic files actually be done properly, will those who worked the electronic files actually do the work necessary to have a "complete" file. Then there was the biggest concern of when we need to renew a contract, will the electronic file be available for us to use as a foundation for the new contract. Even though we were all aware of the environmental and storage advantages, the idea, or fear, just seemed to outweigh the benefits. We were not emotionally connected to our paper files, but they had value in our daily work routines. The behavioral aspect is how it affected our normal work routines. A work routine is a set of actions or behaviors that help us to accomplish our work tasks. Therefore, taking out the creation and use of a physical contract file, changes our work routine. Which sometimes is a hard adjustment especially if you have had the same work routine for more than twenty years.

Once the transition and training started, the tension did ease a little. However, once we went fully digital, and after we understood the process and its advantages, we all loved it! Now it is a part of our daily routines, and we would not want it to be any other way. Sometimes the fear of change is worse than the change. "As Shein points out "change creates learning anxiety (leaving what we know to something we don't). This learning anxiety can be fueled by any of the following (valid) reasons: fear of loss of power/position, fear of temporary incompetence, fear of subsequent punishment, fear of loss of personal identity and fear of loss of group membership. The higher the learning anxiety, the stronger the resistance and the defensiveness," (Cecil, 2016).