Change, whether in the form of organizational restructuring, personal growth, or even a global shift, can be a catalyst for innovation and progress. However, with change often comes resistance, and one of the most common forms of resistance is the rise of internal and external "saboteurs." These saboteurs can derail progress, lower morale, and even hinder the ability to adapt successfully to change. Recognizing and addressing these saboteurs is essential for navigating transitions effectively and ensuring long-term success.
What Are Saboteurs?
Saboteurs are the internal thought patterns or external behaviors that hold you back during times of change. They often stem from fear, insecurity, or discomfort with uncertainty. These saboteurs can manifest in different ways, both in individuals and within teams. Whether it’s self-doubt, perfectionism, procrastination, or fear of failure, saboteurs thrive on the tension that comes with change.
In teams and organizations, saboteurs can show up as resistance to new ideas, negative attitudes, or conflict avoidance. While these behaviors may seem subtle at first, they can accumulate and severely impact the overall success of a transition.
Recognizing Your Internal Saboteurs
When you’re in the midst of change, your internal saboteurs might become louder and more persistent. Here are a few common ones to look out for:
- The Judge
The Judge is the saboteur that criticizes everything, including yourself and others. It often amplifies self-doubt, making you question your abilities or the value of new opportunities. In times of change, the Judge may make you feel as though you’re not capable of adapting, undermining your confidence in moving forward.
- The Perfectionist
The Perfectionist is the voice that tells you nothing is good enough. This saboteur can be particularly damaging during times of change because it demands impossible standards. Instead of embracing the learning curve that comes with change, the Perfectionist may push you to overanalyze and delay decisions, ultimately stalling progress.
- The Avoider
The Avoider surfaces when we want to escape the discomfort of change. Instead of confronting new challenges head-on, the Avoider might steer you toward distractions or excuses to delay dealing with the new reality. This can lead to missed opportunities or unresolved issues that eventually grow bigger.
Team Saboteurs: Resistance and Negativity
Within teams, saboteurs show up in the form of resistance to change, passive-aggressive behaviors, or unchecked negativity. When some team members resist or push back against new initiatives or organizational shifts, it can create a toxic environment that stifles collaboration and innovation. These behaviors are often rooted in fear—fear of losing control, fear of failure, or fear of the unknown.
How to Address Saboteurs
The first step in addressing saboteurs is awareness. Take time to reflect on how your internal dialogue might be working against you or how team dynamics might be resisting change. Once you identify these patterns, you can challenge them. For example, if you notice the Judge is amplifying self-doubt, actively counter those thoughts with positive affirmations or evidence of past success.
Within teams, leaders can address saboteurs by fostering open communication and creating a culture of psychological safety. This allows team members to express concerns without fear of judgment, helping to surface and manage resistance in a constructive way.
Conclusion
In times of change, it’s natural for saboteurs to show up—both internally and within teams. The key is recognizing their presence and taking proactive steps to counter their influence. By doing so, you can move forward with confidence and navigate the complexities of change with resilience and adaptability.
Interested in learning more about the saboteurs? Join me for a Saboteur Discovery session as a PQ Coach – you can set up a 15 minute call to learn more about the framework, and get your Saboteur Discovery call booked at https://calendly.com/jennbritton/15-minute-exploration-call
What Are Saboteurs?
Saboteurs are the internal thought patterns or external behaviors that hold you back during times of change. They often stem from fear, insecurity, or discomfort with uncertainty. These saboteurs can manifest in different ways, both in individuals and within teams. Whether it’s self-doubt, perfectionism, procrastination, or fear of failure, saboteurs thrive on the tension that comes with change.
In teams and organizations, saboteurs can show up as resistance to new ideas, negative attitudes, or conflict avoidance. While these behaviors may seem subtle at first, they can accumulate and severely impact the overall success of a transition.
Recognizing Your Internal Saboteurs
When you’re in the midst of change, your internal saboteurs might become louder and more persistent. Here are a few common ones to look out for:
- The Judge
The Judge is the saboteur that criticizes everything, including yourself and others. It often amplifies self-doubt, making you question your abilities or the value of new opportunities. In times of change, the Judge may make you feel as though you’re not capable of adapting, undermining your confidence in moving forward.
- The Perfectionist
The Perfectionist is the voice that tells you nothing is good enough. This saboteur can be particularly damaging during times of change because it demands impossible standards. Instead of embracing the learning curve that comes with change, the Perfectionist may push you to overanalyze and delay decisions, ultimately stalling progress.
- The Avoider
The Avoider surfaces when we want to escape the discomfort of change. Instead of confronting new challenges head-on, the Avoider might steer you toward distractions or excuses to delay dealing with the new reality. This can lead to missed opportunities or unresolved issues that eventually grow bigger.
Team Saboteurs: Resistance and Negativity
Within teams, saboteurs show up in the form of resistance to change, passive-aggressive behaviors, or unchecked negativity. When some team members resist or push back against new initiatives or organizational shifts, it can create a toxic environment that stifles collaboration and innovation. These behaviors are often rooted in fear—fear of losing control, fear of failure, or fear of the unknown.
How to Address Saboteurs
The first step in addressing saboteurs is awareness. Take time to reflect on how your internal dialogue might be working against you or how team dynamics might be resisting change. Once you identify these patterns, you can challenge them. For example, if you notice the Judge is amplifying self-doubt, actively counter those thoughts with positive affirmations or evidence of past success.
Within teams, leaders can address saboteurs by fostering open communication and creating a culture of psychological safety. This allows team members to express concerns without fear of judgment, helping to surface and manage resistance in a constructive way.
Conclusion
In times of change, it’s natural for saboteurs to show up—both internally and within teams. The key is recognizing their presence and taking proactive steps to counter their influence. By doing so, you can move forward with confidence and navigate the complexities of change with resilience and adaptability.
Interested in learning more about the saboteurs? Join me for a Saboteur Discovery session as a PQ Coach – you can set up a 15 minute call to learn more about the framework, and get your Saboteur Discovery call booked at https://calendly.com/jennbritton/15-minute-exploration-call
Jennifer Britton, MES, ACTC – PCC, CHRL, CPT
CEO, Head Coach and Author
Potentials Realized | Group Coaching Essentials
Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching
Contact: 1-416-996-8326
Email: [email protected]
Instagram:@ReconnectingWorkspaces @CoachingBusinessBuilder
Looking for bite-sized boosts to your work as a coach, leader or during your onboarding process? Check out our Card Decks. Now available on Deckible:
90-Day Guide for Success – Deck 1 – Days 1 – 30 (for new leaders, onboarding or those wanting a sprint) – https://bit.ly/90dayguidedeck1
ACTIVATE Your Group and Team Coaching Superpowers (for coaches) – https://bit.ly/activatedeck
Pick up a copy of Reconnecting Workspaces: Pathways to Thrive in the Virtual, Remote and Hybrid World at Amazon – https://bit.ly/reconnectingworkspaces.
Check out my latest TEDx talk – Coaching Teams Through Chaos at https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_britton_coaching_teams_through_chaos
Set up a call with myself or my team to learn more about how we can support you through our card decks, customized team development and leadership training, OR award-winning ICF CCE approved Coach Training programs – https://calendly.com/jennbritton/15-minute-exploration-call
CEO, Head Coach and Author
Potentials Realized | Group Coaching Essentials
Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching
Contact: 1-416-996-8326
Email: [email protected]
Instagram:@ReconnectingWorkspaces @CoachingBusinessBuilder
Looking for bite-sized boosts to your work as a coach, leader or during your onboarding process? Check out our Card Decks. Now available on Deckible:
90-Day Guide for Success – Deck 1 – Days 1 – 30 (for new leaders, onboarding or those wanting a sprint) – https://bit.ly/90dayguidedeck1
ACTIVATE Your Group and Team Coaching Superpowers (for coaches) – https://bit.ly/activatedeck
Pick up a copy of Reconnecting Workspaces: Pathways to Thrive in the Virtual, Remote and Hybrid World at Amazon – https://bit.ly/reconnectingworkspaces.
Check out my latest TEDx talk – Coaching Teams Through Chaos at https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_britton_coaching_teams_through_chaos
Set up a call with myself or my team to learn more about how we can support you through our card decks, customized team development and leadership training, OR award-winning ICF CCE approved Coach Training programs – https://calendly.com/jennbritton/15-minute-exploration-call
RSS Feed
