a) Cognitive friction (prediction errors).
Your brain is a prediction machine. When the environment shifts (new tools, priorities, markets), your mental models lag. That gap creates uncertainty → slower decisions → risk avoidance.

b) Emotional friction (threat response).
Ambiguity can be processed as threat. Cortisol spikes narrow attention, bias you toward short-term relief (over-checking messages, redoing familiar tasks) and away from exploratory behaviors required to adapt.

c) Behavioral friction (habit inertia).
Existing cue–routine–reward loops compete with unproven routines. Even when you “know” the new way is better, the old way pays immediate, predictable rewards.

d) Social friction (norms and trust).
Teams adapt at the speed of psychological safety. If people expect punishment for experimenting or exposing uncertainty, they optimize for conformity, not learning.