The Problem with Change by Ashley Goodall Summary

The Problem with Change challenges the corporate obsession with constant upheaval, arguing that relentless change undermines employee performance by fostering uncertainty, eroding belonging, and diminishing meaning. Ashley Goodall combines psychological research and leadership experience to advocate for stability, predictable routines, and human-centric practices—like valuing team rituals and clear communication—to boost engagement and resilience in workplaces.

This book is essential for leaders, HR professionals, and managers seeking to improve workplace culture amid frequent restructuring. It’s also valuable for employees navigating organizational turbulence, offering insights into why stability matters and how to advocate for environments that prioritize psychological safety and team cohesion.

Yes—it’s been named a Financial Times Best Business Book* and lauded for its actionable critique of change fatigue. Goodall’s blend of real-world examples (e.g., Cisco, Deloitte) and counterintuitive strategies (e.g., fostering “transplant shock” resilience) makes it a standout resource for rethinking leadership in unstable times.

Goodall identifies four core harms: loss of control, eroded belonging, disrupted meaning, and chronic uncertainty. He links these to trends like quiet quitting and low engagement, emphasizing that humans thrive under predictable conditions where trust and autonomy are prioritized over perpetual reinvention.

The book advocates for “stability anchors” like team rituals, consistent communication, and small-group collaboration. By maintaining these foundations, organizations can adapt without uprooting employees, fostering innovation through psychological safety rather than disruptive overhauls.

Goodall dedicates a chapter to critiquing vague terminology (e.g., “synergy,” “pivot”), arguing it obscures clarity and alienates teams. He urges leaders to replace jargon with specific, actionable language to rebuild trust and alignment.

It connects burnout to perpetual change, proposing solutions like granting autonomy, recognizing individual contributions, and creating “spaces” for employees to voice concerns—tactics shown to restore agency and reduce transplant shock.

Goodall frames quiet quitting as a symptom of change-induced disillusionment. When employees lose control and purpose, disengagement follows. The book suggests countering this by reinforcing team identity and predictable workflows to rebuild commitment.

Co-authored by Goodall, Nine Lies debunks workplace myths (e.g., the value of feedback), while The Problem with Change focuses on stabilizing environments. Both emphasize human-centric leadership but tackle different facets of organizational dysfunction.

Some note that Goodall’s emphasis on stability may undervalue necessary transformations. However, critics praise his research-backed approach and practicality, calling it a “sturdy, well-informed treatise” for modern workplaces.

The book’s focus on rituals (e.g., weekly check-ins) and clear communication offers remote teams tools to combat isolation. By creating predictable touchpoints and valuing small-group collaboration, leaders can foster connection despite physical distance.

“Work today uproots us, needlessly and carelessly… we suffer from the human version of transplant shock.” This metaphor underscores the book’s core message: sustainable performance requires rooting teams in stability, not endless change.