Final answer:
Fear of the unknown, loss of control, and inertia are among the reasons employees resist change, which could lead to catastrophic outcomes such as failing to protect individuals during a pandemic. This highlights the critical importance of adaptability in leadership positions.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Carnival failed to act sooner to protect passengers from COVID-19 due to the CEO Arnold Donald's resistance to change, it could be related to one of the common reasons that employees resist change in an organization. One of these reasons might be fear of the unknown. Employees, including top executives, may resist change if they are uncertain about the effects it will have on their role or the company. Another reason might be loss of control; changes imply a shift in routines and power structures that some individuals may be uncomfortable with. Finally, resistance could also stem from inertia, where a belief in the status quo or 'we have always done it this way' hinders the adoption of new practices. This resistance to change can have real and sometimes tragic consequences, such as putting the health and lives of individuals at risk during a pandemic by delaying necessary safety measures.
In the case of a pandemic, the CEO's slower response to the emerging threat of COVID-19 could have been driven by any combination of these reasons, and this hesitation likely contributed to the severity of the outcome experienced by Carnival. In a broader sense, it highlights the importance of adaptability and responsiveness in leadership positions, especially in crisis situations where delay can result in loss of lives.