How you, as a leader, should handle this situation.
Employee Resists Technology and Digitalization
Your experienced team is resistant to new digital tools, and you find yourself caught between transformation and team harmony? Discover how to navigate these situations as a leader and practice the scenario in our AI role-playing game.
Why is this situation challenging for leaders?
Experienced employees resist new digital tools out of fear of being overwhelmed, print out emails, and seek daily assistance with computer tasks, despite possessing valuable expertise and decades of experience. Leaders face the dilemma of driving digital transformation without losing or demotivating these essential team members. They must strike a delicate balance between patience for the learning curve and the pace of digital advancement to alleviate tech-related anxieties without coming across as condescending.
Common Mistakes Leaders Make When Facing Resistance to Digitalization
Through our scenarios, we highlight common pitfalls that you, as a leader, should avoid when facing resistance to digitalization.
Werner Lange
Character from scenario
Identify age as a barrier to learning.
Avoid:
“I understand that your age may present a challenge.”
Why this doesn't work:
The employee may feel challenged in their ability to learn new things. This triggers fears of inadequacy and leads to a retreat into their comfort zone. Individuals like Werner, who are confident in their expertise, may feel discouraged by such statements.
Better:
“Your extensive experience is a valuable asset. Let us work together to explore how we can make new technologies accessible to you.”
It seems that you've provided only a name, "Thomas Hartmann." If you have additional text or specific marketing copy that you would like me to translate, please share it, and I'll be happy to assist you!
Character from scenario
Show frustration with slow learning.
Avoid:
“I can't believe you don't already know this.”
Why this doesn't work:
Such statements can lead employees to feel undervalued, resulting in shame and a sense of inadequacy. Individuals with high expertise, like Werner, may feel pressured by such comments and withdraw.
Better:
“I appreciate your patience and commitment. Let's work at your pace and explore the new tools step by step.”
Werner Lange
Character from scenario
Build Technical Pressure
Avoid:
“You need to adapt more quickly.”
Why this doesn't work:
This statement may lead employees to feel that their existing skills are no longer valued, resulting in anxiety and resistance to change. Individuals like Thomas, who rely on established methods, might feel overwhelmed by such pressure.
Better:
“I understand that changes can be challenging. Let’s work together to create a plan that helps you gradually adapt to the new technologies.”
#1 Training Scenario: Resistance to Digitalization
With our realistic AI role-playing scenarios, you can prepare as a leader for resistance to digitalization and new technologies.
Digitalization Blockade in the Team
Handlung
Experience or Blockage? Robert has 18 years of expertise with proven methods—but has been blocking digital transformation for the past 6 weeks. "That has always worked" is his favorite phrase. Three colleagues are already following his lead, causing the transition to stall. Can you help this seasoned traditionalist see that new tools can enhance his expertise rather than threaten it?
Training Goals
Ängste benennen
Robert benennt mindestens 2 konkrete Ängste bezüglich der Umstellung selbst
Konkreter Einarbeitungsplan vereinbart
FK und Robert haben gemeinsam einen strukturierten Einarbeitungsplan mit Meilensteinen entwickelt
Roberts Expertise gewürdigt
FK hat Roberts 18-jährige Erfahrung explizit wertgeschätzt und gezeigt, wie diese im neuen System wertvoll bleibt
Conversation Start
“Honestly, I don't understand why we need this entire transition. My tried-and-true methods have worked perfectly for 18 years—why should I complicate things now? It only wastes time and yields no benefits!”
#2 Training Scenario: Resistance to Digitalization
With our realistic AI role-playing scenarios, you can prepare as a leader for resistance against digitalization and new technologies.
Empathetically Overcoming Technology Resistance
Handlung
Experience meets technology anxiety? Werner prints 40 emails daily and asks for the same basic software functions for the sixth time. "It used to be easier with paper," is his mantra. The day before yesterday, he canceled an important appointment because he struggles with video conferencing. Can you help this seasoned expert understand that a willingness to learn is not a matter of age?
Training Goals
Muster der erlernten Hilflosigkeit erkennen
Werner erkennt, dass er nicht unfähig ist, sondern aktiv ins Fragen flüchtet statt selbst zu probieren
Ängste benennen
Werner äußert seine zugrundeliegenden Ängste (zu alt, ersetzbar, bloßgestellt, abgehängt)
Eigener Wert anerkannt
Werner erkennt, dass seine Fachexpertise wertvoll bleibt und digitale Kompetenz erlernbar ist
Conversation Start
“This new software... I just don't understand how it's supposed to work. Could you please show me again how to save the file? Everything used to be so much simpler...”
FAQs
Why do experienced employees often resist new digital tools?
Resistance to digitalization is rarely due to a lack of intelligence. The main reasons are fear of losing competence, being overwhelmed by rapid changes, and the concern of appearing incompetent in front of younger colleagues. Experienced employees have relied on proven methods for decades and fear that their expertise may suddenly become worthless. With Careertrainer.ai, you will learn to recognize and empathetically address these fears without devaluing the employee's professional competence.
How do I address technology resistance without demotivating employees?
The key is to connect appreciation with expectation. First, emphasize the employee's professional expertise and make it clear that it remains valuable. Avoid phrases like "At your age" or "You need to adapt more quickly." Instead, focus on specific examples of how digitalization helps the employee perform their job better. With our AI role-playing scenarios, you can practice these conversations in a safe environment before engaging in real-life discussions.
What can I do as a leader when employees struggle to progress despite multiple training sessions?
Frequent questioning is often not a sign of incompetence, but rather of learned helplessness. Employees tend to resort to asking questions because it feels safer than trying things on their own. Instead of repeatedly explaining the same functions, break the pattern: encourage independent experimentation, reduce immediate assistance, and create small successes. In our training scenarios, you will learn how to address these behavioral changes with empathy and clarity.
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