The Resistance Audit: Why Change Stalls and What to Do About It

Outline

1. Welcome & Framing the Session (5 minutes)

Content: Introduce the human-centered approach to resistance, shifting the perspective from defiance to unmet needs.

Engagement: Quick poll or show-of-hands check: “When you hear the word resistance, what comes to mind?”

Process: Establish psychological safety and invite diverse perspectives.

2. Defining Resistance & Root Causes (10 minutes)

Content: Introduce the five Forms of Resistance and connect them to mindset gaps (value, ownership, belonging, success, growth).

Engagement: Interactive slides with short real-world examples; participants identify where these forms show up in their schools

Process: Frequent pause-and-reflect prompts with partner “turn-and-talk.”

3. Real-World Application: Case Examples (10 minutes)

Content: Share scenarios drawn from schools and coaching practice to illustrate how resistance shows up.

Engagement: Small groups analyze scenarios, discussing the likely root causes.

Process: Peer-to-peer dialogue, followed by quick whole-group debrief.

4. Diagnosing Resistance in Context (15 minutes)

Content: Guide participants through diagnosing resistance in their own schools or coaching work using the appropriate Catalyst Mindset to support change in a human centered way.

Engagement: Structured reflection worksheet (or digital template) to map resistance forms to root causes

Process: Partner exchange for peer feedback; optional share-out for broader perspective.

5. Coaching Tools & Human-Centered Strategies (15 minutes)

Content: Introduce practical coaching tools to address root causes: trust-building strategies, reflection questions, and mindset-based supports and frameworks.

Engagement: Role-play or peer practice of one tool (e.g., diagnosing root cause, reframing a resistance response).

Process: Partner work + quick whole-group reflections; facilitators circulate for support.

6. Closing & Call to Action (5 minutes)

Content: Summarize key takeaways: resistance = unmet needs, root causes can be identified, and coaching tools support human-centered leadership.

Engagement: One-minute written reflection: “What is one resistance moment you’ll approach differently after today?”

Process: Invite participants to connect with shared resources for continued learning.

Outcomes

After this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the five Forms of Resistance and connect them to mindset gaps in value, ownership, belonging, success, and growth.

2. Analyze real-world examples to uncover the root causes of resistance as signals of unmet needs.

3. Diagnose resistance within their own school or coaching context through guided practice.

4. Apply human-centered coaching tools to address root causes, build trust, and support growth.

5. Engage in reflective dialogue with peers to surface multiple perspectives and problem-solve collaboratively.

Supporting research

Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York: Random House.

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: W.H. Freeman.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.

Drago-Severson, E., & Blum-DeStefano, J. (2016). Tell Me So I Can Hear You: A Developmental Approach to Feedback for Educators. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.

Covey, S. M. R., & Merrill, R. R. (2006). The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything. Free Press.

Ngo, C.-L. (2021). Teacher agency: A systematic review of international literature. Educational Research Review, 33, 100390.

Brownstein, D., & Dapra, J. (2023, May 5). Mindsets: Four Beliefs That Lead to Highly-Motivated Students. Faculty Focus. Retrieved from https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-classroom-management/mindsets-four-beliefs-that-lead-to-highly-motivated-students

Saunders, M., Alcantara, V., Cervantes, L., Del Razo, J., Lopez, R., & Perez, W. (2017). Getting to Teacher Ownership: How Schools Are Creating Meaningful Change. Providence, RI: Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University.