The Hidden Tension of Misaligned Values
Kirsten Cooper Kirsten Cooper

The Hidden Tension of Misaligned Values

Ever felt frustrated in an organization but couldn’t quite explain why? Chances are, you’re experiencing a values gap—when the stated values of a system (what’s written on the walls, in the mission statement, or preached in meetings) don’t match the lived reality (how decisions are made, how people are treated, and what’s actually rewarded).

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Why is change so hard? Because even at its best, change involves loss.
Kirsten Cooper Kirsten Cooper

Why is change so hard? Because even at its best, change involves loss.

Humans are wired for homeostasis: seeking balance, familiarity, and comfort. That’s why we develop habits. But every change, even positive ones, disrupts that equilibrium. It often means letting go of routines, roles, or identities we’ve built our lives around. And that loss can trigger grief, resistance, and fear at both biological and psychological levels.

But here’s the thing, loss also creates space for something new. The key is to acknowledge, accept, and move through it with intention.

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