⏳ Estimated Reading Time: 6–7 minutes

Most change efforts fail because leaders don’t recognize what they’re actually up against. This article breaks down the four stages of resistance—and how to lead through each one without losing your clarity, your purpose, your momentum, or yourself.

Every change leader encounters it. Most don’t survive it.

There’s a pattern that shows up any time someone dares to shift how things work inside an organization.

This isn’t covered in any manual—but if you’ve ever challenged the status quo, you’ve felt the response.

It doesn’t discriminate by role, title, or position. The dynamic is the same. The only difference is how directly it shows up—and how hard it pushes back.

It’s resistance.

And it follows a sequence.

It starts quietly—then gets louder.

Stage 1: Ignore & Discredit

At first, it’s like your message doesn’t even land.

You speak up about what’s not working. What do you get? Polite nods. Quick pivots. Or silence. And it’s maddening—becau...