A Comfort Zone is one of those things we never really know we have when we’re actually in it. Most of us are too busy rushing from task to task, doing our jobs, or fixing loose ends to notice that we fall into a habit more rapidly than expected. 

Before we know it, our consistent routine becomes a comfort zone, and we remain stuck in it long after the routine has outlived its utility. It’s only when some type of jolt happens, or a catastrophe strikes, that we realize we had stayed within our comfort zones for too long, avoiding or shrinking from exciting opportunities and challenges that showed up. 

Preempting such outcomes in the workplace is one of the top priorities of senior management, team leads, and managers. Let’s look at a few simple and effective changes that managers can make to help employees perform outside their comfort zones.