Dealing with Resistance to Change in Your Organisation

Every business leader who has led change knows this one truth….. resistance is inevitable.

No matter how exciting or well-planned your transformation is, there will always be people who push back, hesitate, or quietly hope things go back to “how they used to be.”

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Resistance isn’t the enemy. It’s information.It’s a sign that people are processing, questioning, and adapting. The key is to understand it and work with it, not against it.

Why People Resist Change

Before you can address resistance, you need to understand what drives it.Here are some common reasons:

• Fear of the unknown - People wonder, “What does this mean for me?” or “Will I still have a job?”

• Lack of clarity - When the “why” behind change isn’t clear, people fill in the blanks with worry or assumptions.

• Loss of control - Change can make people feel powerless or excluded.

• Comfort with the familiar - Even if the old way isn’t perfect, it feels safe because it’s known.

• Change fatigue - If too many things change too fast, people simply burn out.

Recognising these emotional realities helps you respond with empathy rather than frustration.

1️⃣ Communicate the Why Over and Over Again

We often underestimate how much communication is needed during transformation. People don’t just need to hear what’s changing, they also need to understand why.

Explain the bigger picture:

• Why is this change necessary?

• How does it help the organisation and the people in it?

• What happens if we don’t change?

Keep reinforcing the message through stories, visuals, and real examples.Clarity calms fear, and consistent communication builds trust.

2️⃣ Listen Before You Respond

When you encounter resistance, your instinct might be to convince or correct.Instead, pause and listen.

Ask open questions such as:

“What’s most concerning to you about this change?”“What do you think we might be overlooking?”

Sometimes, resistance hides valuable insights. Your team may see challenges you missed, or risks you can address early.Listening shows respect, and respect builds buy-in.

3️⃣ Involve People in the Process

Change done to people creates resistance, but change done with people builds ownership.

Invite team members to shape parts of the process. Gather their input. Let them pilot new approaches, or contribute to decision-making.When people have a voice, they are more likely to support the outcome.

4️⃣ Equip and Support

Quite often, resistance is more about confidence than disagreement.People fear change when they don’t feel capable of handling it.

Provide training, coaching, and clear guidance so your team feels equipped for what’s next.When people have the tools to succeed, resistance turns into readiness.

5️⃣ Celebrate Progress and Wins

Change can feel like an endless mountain climb.Celebrating milestones helps people see that their effort is making a difference.

A simple “thank you,” a shared success story, or a small recognition moment keeps motivation alive and turns skeptics into advocates over time.

6️⃣ Lead with Empathy

Transformation is more than just a business journey. It’s an emotional one.People are letting go of old routines, relationships, and ways of working.

Show empathy. Acknowledge the loss as well as the opportunity.When you validate how people feel, you create a foundation of trust that no strategy can replace.

Resistance is not a sign of failure. It’s part of the process.

Your role as a leader isn’t to eliminate resistance but to navigate it with patience, empathy, and clarity.

When people feel seen, heard, and supported, even the toughest changes become manageable. Why? Because real transformation doesn’t just change systems or structures. It changes hearts and mindsets.

If you’re preparing for transformation and want to build engagement and alignment across your team, I’m here to help you design your change journey.

💬 Send me a message or book a call. Let’s turn resistance into readiness and change into growth.

The above article is part of the Make Growth Happen Series, which is tailored to empower business owners like you to develop the right strategy, structure and skills needed to take your business to the next level.

Janice is a Certified Business Coach whose extensive knowledge and experience in various aspects of business have set her on a mission to help business leaders turn their Vision into Reality. She works with them to develop the right strategies, structure, and skills needed to take their business to the next level. She is the Author of The Ten Commandments of Crisis Management. Janice also works with Christian business owners who desire to run their businesses based on Biblical Principles.

For full bio and coaching inquiries, go to http://www.way2betterbusiness.com