Why People Resist Change and How to Overcome It

Have you ever introduced a change you knew would make a big difference, only to face complaints, resistance, and even outright anger? 

As a leader, it can be sooooo frustrating when you pour time and energy into a necessary improvement — only to see your team push back!

But here’s something I’ve learned.

People don’t resist all change—they resist change they don’t understand or feel invested in.

The Case of the Decimal Clock

Take a lesson from 18th-century France.

A mathematician introduced "decimal time," a system designed to simplify the 24-hour clock.

Parliament embraced it. Businesses jumped in.

But the general public?

Nope.

They rejected it completely, and within 17 months, the system was scrapped. Ouch.

How can you avoid the same fate?

So, how can you avoid the same fate when implementing change? The key is to promote the pain before proposing the solution.

“Promote the Pain” is about making the problem so clear and relatable that everyone understands why change is necessary.

As leaders, we often focus on solutions—we want to fix things quickly and move forward.

But if your team doesn’t feel the weight of the current challenges, they won’t see the urgency or value in the change you’re proposing. Promoting the pain is about bridging that gap.

7 Steps to promote the pain

Watch the video above, where I present a seven-step framework that shows how to address current pain points and present possibilities of relieving that pain.

Promoting the pain means clearly identifying the problem and making it real and relatable to your team. This involves articulating what’s wrong, who’s affected, and the consequences of inaction.

Pair hard data with compelling stories or visuals to help people emotionally connect with the issue, and help your team see how the problem impacts their daily work or goals, creating a sense of urgency that inspires action.

By making the stakes clear and the problem personal, you can build understanding before you talk about the solution. Promoting the pain sets up your team to be ready to embrace the change.

Set your team — and your change initiative — for success

One of the biggest reasons people resist change is because they don’t see the problem it’s meant to solve.

When people understand the “why” and feel included in the process, they’re far more likely to embrace change.

So remember: promote the pain, share the vision, and bring the team on the journey. 

Change isn’t easy, but when done right, it leads to growth — for your organization and your people.

READY TO GAIN CLARITY AND MOMENTUM? 

If you’re facing an upcoming change and want to successfully guide your team, let’s talk!

Schedule a free Effectiveness Accelerator Call, and let’s explore how to transform your leadership and team dynamics for sustainable growth.