Hi, we are experts in change and want to talk about loss, seatbelts, and masks. A thread.

Three-point seatbelts were invented in Sweden at Volvo in 1959. From the jump, these seatbelts saved more lives. Up to 40% of fatalities were avoided when someone was wearing a seatbelt. Volvo even gave the patent away to other car companies in hopes of saving more lives.

But statistics don't change behavior. Even 20 years after they were invented, with statistics widely available, compliance hovered under 20%.

Today, compliance for seatbelts is ~90%. Laws did that. And as laws enforced behavior, our attitudes toward seatbelts changed. When was the last time you rode unbuckled? Today, would you ever let your child ride unbuckled?

Also today, we know masks stop the spread of COVID-19 yet statistics aren't changing behavior. In fact, there's a rebellion (globally) against them. Why do we reject change, even when it's proven to be beneficial?

Why? Because change is loss. Rosabeth Moss Kanter articulated this well. Any change has the possibility of triggering a loss of control, narrative, pride, time, expertise, and familiarity. Let's be honest, all of us feel a loss of control and familiarity, especially right now.

When you see someone reject masks, know that they are experiencing a deep sense of loss. No, it doesn't excuse the behavior but it does explain it. We haven't reckoned with the tremendous loss all of us are feeling. We need a global recognition of our loss.

To leaders, we ask that you make space to recognize loss. Don't rush to compartmentalization, cheerleading, or chest-beating. To everyone else, we ask that you reflect on your feelings of loss and own it. Self-awareness is a must in unfortunate times like these.

More on change as loss https://academy.nobl.io/why-change-is-loss-and-how-you-can-help-your-team-navigate-it/

Lastly, we want you to know that to change is human. Change is our superpower as homosapiens. When we don't wrestle with it, we simply call it learning. Learning is possible even during Covid so long as we recognize loss and make space for those feelings.