Leading Through Resistance

February 6, 2009 by Mary Wynne-Wynter 

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Whether you’re leading a company of one or hundreds through a period of uncertainty and change, you’ll reach a point where action is required yet met with resistance, even after a period of time to adapt to uncertainty.

A default response is fighting resistance with more resistance through boundaries, control and force of will. Lines get drawn for self-protection but backfire, further increasing fear, anxiety and hostility.

A different response is to meet resistance, and replace structures that no longer exist, by committing to and modeling for others the highest possible attention to quality in, and respect for doing what’s in front of you to do, including: making decisions, communications, actions and interactions.
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Attention to quality may be easier and more expected and accepted in some areas, like providing customer service and team-building. In other areas it may be more challenging, for example: cutting costs, letting people go, dealing with financial loss and making downwardly mobile lifestyle changes.

In every case, attention to quality and respect means there’s awareness. Awareness is not a strategy, its a practice. You practice by noticing when negative beliefs, assumptions or expectations compromise your commitment to quality and respect for the humanity in yourself and others. These contradictory thoughts lose their power over you when you’re aware of them.

When that happens, you’re conscious that how you respond to challenges now, directs where you’re going and how great that experience will be for you, your business, your clients and your community and beyond.

Filed under: Natural influence, authenticity, change leadership, counter-direction, direction, self-awareness
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