“Resistance is often the doorway to understanding what matters most.” — Kittie Watson, Ph.D.
As leaders, we often spend significant time communicating change. We explain the strategy, share timelines and outline expectations. Yet despite our best efforts, resistance emerges. When that happens, it is tempting to view resistance as something that needs to be overcome.
What if resistance is actually a source of valuable information?
Many of the people we perceive as resistant are not opposing the change itself. They may be experiencing uncertainty, loss, competing priorities, change fatigue or concerns about whether the change will succeed. In many cases, resistance is simply a signal that something important has not yet been understood.
One of the most important lessons we have learned through our work is that successful change is less about pushing harder and more about listening differently. People are far more likely to support the future when they understand the purpose, can envision the outcome and see a meaningful role for themselves in the journey.
A Brief Example
A leadership team was frustrated by what they viewed as resistance to a new operating model. Employees questioned decisions, asked for more information and appeared reluctant to move quickly.
Instead of assuming people were unwilling to change, we asked leaders to pause to listen.
What they discovered was not resistance, but uncertainty. Employees understood what was changing but lacked clarity regarding why it was necessary and how their roles would be affected. Once leaders created opportunities for dialogue, clarified expectations and involved employees in shaping the transition, engagement increased and momentum followed.
What appeared to be resistance was a lack of understanding.
Questions Worth Asking
The next time you encounter resistance, pause and ask:
- What concerns are people expressing?
- What might they fear losing?
- Have we clearly communicated the “why” behind the change?
- What conversations are we not having—that we need to have?
- What might people know that leadership has not yet learned?
A Different Way to Think About Resistance
Organizations that navigate change most successfully understand that resistance is not always something to eliminate. Frequently, it is intelligence that can improve both the change process and the outcome.
When leaders listen before they lead, resistance generates insight. Insight becomes engagement. Engagement creates momentum. Momentum creates sustainable change.
At Innolect, we help organizations make the human dynamics of change visible by identifying the listening, trust, alignment and influence factors that shape successful adoption and sustainable results.
Contact us to schedule a FREE consultation.
Additionally, our products and assessments help leaders and teams develop the skills and capabilities needed to grow exponentially.
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https://innolectinc.com/contact-us/
(803) 396-8500