This Past Week, Four Important Posts

August 24: How to Deal with Resistance to Change

Resisting needed change has destroyed relationships, marriages, families, organizations, companies, programs and nations. Change starts with the individual. On Monday, we provided an 8 step strategy to initiate change. That doesn't mean it will be easy, but it does mean that it is possible. It's going to first of all mean a change of attitude that embraces the new possibilities that change will produce.

August 25: Whose Problem is It?

Knowing who it is that has the problem is the vital first step in finding solutions. Someone else may have projected their problem on you for years. You have lived with the burden of it. No more. If it is their problem, let them live with it. Being released from the guilt or shame will let you establish boundaries,  take better care of yourself and let them know that if they desire solutions, they will have to be the ones to take action and make change.

August 27: What Makes a Good Leader Work with a Coach?

What do great leaders know and practice that the vast majority of other leaders don't? They work with a Coach ... not because they have big problems but because they want to be better prepared to deal with big problems. And not only that, they want to be more aware of opportunity when it shows itself. Coaching for the successful leader is not so much remedial as it is transformational. Thursday's article outlines the top 12 areas that successful leaders and executives have proactively used our coaching .

August 28: An Example of Employee Engagement

On Friday we examined how one company changed their thinking ... and their approach after 50 years. They engaged their employees in the larger context of what the company was doing. It raised a sense of place and contribution. The end result for the company was more engaged and satisfied employees and increased profit. You may have golden ideas hidden in your staff but there is no encouragement or environment to get them out. Achieving employee engagement isn't a 'hope so' exercise. It will require a solid change of culture and attitude. It will require good leadership.

How to Deal with Resistance to Change

We need to understand how to deal with resistance to change. Why? Because many times we do not change, even though we may deep down wish to. We do not achieve those things we wish to achieve because we refuse to let go of our old ways. It's easier to stay where we are than to take those first few steps which will set us on a new course. And so we stay stuck.

Most times it is completely a problem of attitude or thinking, of refusing to take ownership of a new way. Yes, we may need to learn something new or have someone help us to develop a strategy so we know how to move forward but those things can be done. To use those as excuses is really not the point. The fact of the matter is, a change of attitude and thinking is of paramount importance.

Most times “I can't do it” is really not accurate. It is “I refuse to do it”. And until you deal with that attitude of refusal and develop a  “whatever it takes, I will do it” attitude, nothing will change ... in your life, your company or your organization.We are creatures of the comfortable. Even that which is painful can become comfortable, even though it hurts.

If you are challenged in this area, consider these steps.

1. Get assistance. Use a coach. Someone who understands what it is you are trying to achieve and can assist as you begin to initiate this new path.


2. Develop a strategy. Be very clear about what is holding you back and what can move you forward and develop a strategy to address both.


3. Start. Don't make any excuses that you 'have to have this' or 'this has to be done first' or whatever. If you can't start absolutely, completely, start some portion of it.


4. Be held accountable. Give your coach permission to hold you accountable. Have others around you hold you accountable.


5. Provide consequences for going back and rewards for going forward so it becomes more painful to go back on your word and more pleasant to follow through.


6. Persevere until you break through. Go until the new path becomes the accepted and habitual path.


7. Always address resistance thinking. Be very aware of when you are resisting and think about the process that caused you to think that way. Capture the thoughts and discard those which hold you back. Replace them with new thinking that moves your forward.


8. Think of yourself as an implementer, completer, a winner versus a loser or a failure. Change your thinking about yourself and repeat it frequently to counteract all the old negative messages that are probably playing and running through your mind over and over again.

If you want to win the battle of how to deal with resistance to change within yourself, start with these few steps.