Navigating Change in the Age of Modernization: The Human Side of Modernization
Why the changes at work are feeling so threatening
By Vik Kapoor
We’re living through one of the most accelerated restructuring cycles in modern work history, with artificial intelligence leading the way. Amazon, for example, recently said it will reduce its corporate workforce by ~14,000 roles as it prioritizes AI-enabled efficiency—one visible sign of a broader reshaping that’s touching nearly every large employer.
Most employees do not fear “AI” as an abstract concept; they fear the blank, gaping space in front of them: What is coming next? What is my job here now? Career ladders are being rebuilt mid-climb. Meanwhile, psychological safety – the invisible thread of high performance – often thins under ambiguity.
Why fast, frequent change feels threatening (Neuroscience Sidebar)
- Amygdala: interprets ambiguity as threat, narrowing empathy and risk-taking.
- Prefrontal cortex: working memory overload leads to poorer prioritization and decisions.
- Dopamine system: unpredictability reduces motivation and follow-through.
- Antidote: clarity early, often, and even imperfectly. Silence is read as danger; humans fill quiet with catastrophic stories.
Leader moves that lower the temperature now
- First stop and check in with yourself. Are you in the right mental place to make a positive impact on the situation, or not? Take some time for yourself.
- Communicate “knowns,” “unknowns,” and “when we’ll know more.”
- Normalize mixed emotions; label them out loud.
- Re-prioritize publicly (what matters this week vs. what can wait).
- Invite participation: where can people co-design changes?
Conflict pattern to watch
Anticipatory worry (even among teams not directly impacted) shows up as edginess, avoidance, and rumor-driven friction. A skilled leader sees this as nervous-system noise rather than a “bad attitude.”
In Conclusion
Change isn’t the enemy; our relationship with it determines whether we collapse or grow. We started today with mindset and some quick tips. Stay tuned in the weeks to come for more model and frameworks to support you through your changes.
At MWI, we help people and organizations turn challenges into opportunities. Learn more at mwi.org.
