Executive Coaching for Exploring Resistance to Change: Planning for Resistance

Exploring Resistance to Change

Are you working in a company or law firm where leaders are engaged in an executive coaching program? Are the leaders in your company or law firm proactive in planning for resistance when executing a new strategy?

One of the most powerful questions one can ask is “How does our company leadership handle resistance to new initiatives?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent leaders further develop their leadership skills by exploring any resistance to change with his or her coach.

Planning for Resistance

Leaders can receive help from the executive coaching experience in planning for the inevitable resistance that will occur when executing a new plan. After some initial compliance, things often go back to the way they were before. Kegan and Lahey write about this powerful force of non-change in their book, How the Way We Talk Can Change the Way We Work (Jossey-Bass 2000). They have a term for it: dynamic equilibrium.

It can be highly productive to work with a coach to preview outcomes and plan for resistance. Since many leaders are high in optimism, it may be helpful for them to look at things from another perspective. They must also be encouraged to face their own internal resistance as well. When the executive and the coach explore resistance to change in advance, they increase the chance that they will stay the course to push through the resistance.

Working with a seasoned executive coach trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating leadership assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-i and CPI 260 can help you become a leader who actively explores any resistance to change. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become happily engaged and aligned with the vision and mission of your company or law firm.

I am currently accepting new executive coaching and career coaching clients. I work with both individuals and organizations. Call 415-546-1252 or send an inquiry e-mail to mbrusman@workingresources.com.