The Hidden Cost of Constant Change
Change fatigue is real
The Hidden Cost of Constant Change
By Julia LeFevre
Leaders talk a lot about transformation. We measure it, plan for it, and push toward it. But what we do not talk about enough is the exhaustion that often follows.
Change fatigue is real. It happens when people are asked to keep adapting without time to recover. At first, energy is high and optimism runs strong. But when every week brings a new initiative, a new direction, or a new set of expectations, even the most capable teams begin to fade.
The problem is not change itself. It is the pace of change and the assumption that people can endlessly pivot without pause. When the nervous system stays in a constant state of alert, focus and creativity diminish. People may comply, but they no longer contribute with heart.
In my conversation with Nissi Ozigbu on Wired to Lead, she named this reality with clarity and compassion. Nissi helps organizations navigate large-scale change, and she shared how leaders often overlook the human cost of constant transformation. Her insight was simple but powerful: the best leaders do not just drive change. They help people build capacity for it.
Sustainable change does not come from motion. It comes from rhythm. Recovery, reflection, and rest are not breaks from growth but are part of it.
A Next Step for Leaders
Before launching something new, ask yourself:
What can I do to give my team space to integrate what has already changed?
How can I model steadiness in the midst of transition?
Where do I need to slow down so the work can go deeper?
If you sense your team running on empty, pause. Transformation that honors people lasts longer and leads further.
Listen to my full conversation with Nissi Ozigbu on Wired to Lead for more wisdom on navigating change with balance, humanity, and purpose.
