Slides to accompany a bite-size training session on managing resistance to change: How to spot it, minimise it, and deal with it. Full training materials including Session Leaders Notes, Delegate Workbook and any Activity handouts can be purchased licence-free from http://www.power-hour.co.uk/trainingmaterialsshop. Prices start from £30 + VAT

1. Manage
Resistance to Change
Resistance to Change

2. Manage
Resistance to Change
Http://www.power-hour.co.uk – Bite Size Training Materials 2013
By the end of the Power Hour you will be able to:
• Anticipate resistance to change and identify things
you can do to minimise it
• Recognise the signs of passive and active resistance
to change
• Suggest why people resist change
• Take practical steps to overcome
resistance to change

3. Manage
Resistance to Change
Http://www.power-hour.co.uk – Bite Size Training Materials 2013
The Change Curve

4. Manage
Resistance to Change
Http://www.power-hour.co.uk – Bite Size Training Materials 2013
Minimising Resistance
• It is wrong to suggest that people don’t like change.
• However, people DON’T like change that is imposed upon
them.
• Generally, people resist change if:
– They believe change is unnecessary or will make things worse
– They fear that the change will result in a loss of something for them
– They had no input into the decision
– The change was a surprise
– They think the change will fail
– They can see no benefit for themselves
– They believe there is a lack of commitment from others

5. Manage
Resistance to Change
Train the Trainer Oct 2011
Recognising Resistance
Active resistance is obvious, and
often results in open conflict.
Passive resistance is more difficult to
spot, and is often ignored in the
hope that it will go away. However,
passive resistance can fester and
cause more problems than active
resistance if left unchallenged.

6. Manage
Resistance to Change
Http://www.power-hour.co.uk – Bite Size Training Materials 2013
Why do People Resist Change?
• A lack of understanding
• Fear of the unknown
• Not seeing the need to make a decision yet, or at all
• Not understanding the benefits of your suggestion
• Genuinely needing time to think things through
• Lack of belief in what you say
• Being happy with the way things are
• Lack of trust
• Inability to make a decision

7. Manage
Resistance to Change
Http://www.power-hour.co.uk – Bite Size Training Materials 2013
How Resistance Appears

8. Manage
Resistance to Change
Http://www.power-hour.co.uk – Bite Size Training Materials 2013
Finding the Root Cause
1. The map is not the territory
2. Every behaviour is based on a positive
intention
3. Behaviour is not the same as personality

9. Manage
Resistance to Change
Http://www.power-hour.co.uk – Bite Size Training Materials 2013
Practical Steps for Handling Resistance
1. Listen carefully to what is being said.
2. Observe and react to non-verbal signals from body language.
3. Look at things from their point of view.
4. Consider what you would have to do to convince YOU in this situation.
5. Plan your approach or responses.
6. Concentrate on what it means for them,
not you.
7. Check your responses are acceptable.
8. Seek out and stress areas of agreement.
9. Minimise areas of disagreement.
10. Agree steps for moving forward.

10. Manage
Resistance to Change
Http://www.power-hour.co.uk – Bite Size Training Materials 2013
Make it Work at Work
What are you going
to DO as a result of
this Power Hour
Session?

11. Manage
Resistance to Change
Http://www.power-hour.co.uk – Bite Size Training Materials 2013
These slides have been produced as an optional
resource to support a Bite-Size Training session on this
subject.
A full set of materials, including detailed Session
Leader’s Guide, Delegate Workbook and supporting
activities can be purchased from our Training Shop
Our Training materials are licence-free, but are for use
by the purchaser only.
They CANNOT be passed or sold on.