During accelerated change in companies, organizations often find themselves in periods of significant disruption. These periods of change can be challenging for employees, leading to stress, confusion, and resistance.

Psychological Anchoring in Enterprise Agility means that certain familiar processes, tools or elements in a team or organization are maintained, while other aspects are subject to significant change.

The human brain naturally seeks stability and predictability. When faced with major changes, our cognitive functions can become overwhelmed, leading to decreased performance and increased stress. Psychological anchoring takes advantage of our brain's tendency to form associations with familiar ideas, giving it time to process and adjust to new information.

Imagine a product development company transitioning from more stable markets to somewhere with a high number of changes and adaptations. Although this shift significantly disrupts established workflows, the company might choose to keep familiar processes or regular team meetings as anchors. These constant elements give team members a sense of familiarity and security even as they adapt to a new reality.

Psychological anchoring isn't about resisting change but rather about facilitating smoother transitions. By strategically choosing which elements to retain, organizations can create an environment where employees feel supported and able to rise to new challenges. This approach can significantly reduce resistance to change and increase the likelihood of successful transformations.

It's important to note that anchors should be chosen carefully. They should be elements that truly provide stability and align with the organization's goals rather than outdated practices that could hinder progress. It's about finding a balance between the familiar and the new to build a bridge between the organization's past and future.

In practice, Psychological Anchoring can mean maintaining tried and tested communication channels, retaining certain team structures or continuing valued traditions within the corporate culture. These anchors serve as cognitive reference points that allow individuals to maintain a sense of identity and belonging even as their work environment changes around them.

Organizations can foster greater resilience and adaptability by incorporating Psychological Anchoring into their change strategies. This approach considers the human aspect of organizational change and recognizes that sustainable change requires not only new processes and technologies but also the psychological readiness of the workforce (Always Ready).

As you can see, Psychological Anchoring is a powerful tool in the corporate agility toolbox. It enables organizations to manage significant disruption while promoting the psychological wellbeing of their workforce and a psychological flow state.

Organizations can facilitate smoother transitions, reduce stress and resistance, and achieve more successful and sustainable transformations or change during high uncertainty by providing stable points of reference amidst a tide of change.