Many people see resistance as the enemy, as something to try and prevent.

But in reality, resistance to change will always be present to some degree - “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion - so we need to be able to embrace it and see its advantages.

So how can resistance actually be a good thing?

1. Resistance strengthens your organisation

Resistance can be extremely difficult to overcome and whilst this can be frustrating, overcoming resistance to change strengthens your organisation in the long run.

A great example of this is the exercise analogy - when you add resistance to a workout, you build more strength, stamina and endurance.

This analogy is also applicable to the workplace - overcoming resistance strengthens an organisation’s communication and working relationships as, if approached correctly, it allows employees to feel heard and respected by their management.

It also helps build both management and staff’s resilience as overcoming resistance requires a great deal of determination.

2. Resistance helps foresee potential issues

One of the many ways that employees may demonstrate resistance is by raising concerns about the change you’re initiating.

While you may feel like your staff are just being overly critical, resistance is usually based on valid concerns and genuine worries.

Staff voicing their opinions can actually help you identify flaws in your strategy which you may otherwise not have thought of, and help you improve your change implementation plan.

Allowing staff to contribute to the change not only makes them feel included, it also helps improve the chance of the change being a success.

3. Resistance is the ultimate test of commitment

The fact that resistance is often difficult to overcome can actually be a good thing as it highlights your most committed staff:

• Your staff’s willingness to overcome resistance and embrace the change shows how dedicated they are to your organisation and to achieving its goals.
• Your management’s determination and effort to overcome the resistance shows their belief in the change and their dedication to your organisation’s growth.

The Key Takeaway

Change is inevitable and so is resistance, so you should try to embrace it – resistance can be a good thing if approached with the right mindset!

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In case you missed yesterday’s article, you can download our free ‘Top Tips for Overcoming Resistance’ PDF by clicking the link below.

Tomorrow we will be beginning a brand new 4-part article series about different learning styles and how these apply to your organisation, so stay tuned!