Thinking fast and slow: What Kahneman teaches us about change management

System 1 and system 2 in a nutshell

• System 1 is fast, automatic, and intuitive. It reacts impulsively, driven by emotions, and requires little effort. imagine slamming on the brakes when a child runs into the street. This is system 1 in action.
• System 2 is slow, deliberate, and logical. It requires conscious thought and analysis. Solving a math problem or planning a project is an example of system 2.

Both systems are necessary, but during change, system 1 often takes over because change triggers uncertainty and emotional responses.

What does this mean for change management?

Kahneman’s theory shows that change isn’t just logical; it’s also emotional. People often react with gut feelings or resistance (system 1), and relying only on logic and data (system 2) won’t address these reactions.

Challenges from system 1

1. Status quo bias: people prefer the familiar because change feels risky.

example: a team resists using new software, preferring the current system they know well.

2. Loss aversion: losing something feels worse than gaining something new.