How to Lead Change and Overcome Resistance

Hey there, leaders!
In this episode of The Principal Patterson Podcast, I’m diving into one of the biggest challenges in school leadership—navigating change when your team is resistant. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to introduce something new, only to be met with hesitation, skepticism, or even outright pushback.

I’m sharing a personal story from my first year as a principal when I rolled out a new instructional coaching model and quickly realized that change—even when it’s for the better—is never easy. That experience taught me that leading through change isn’t just about having a great plan; it’s about understanding the psychology behind how people process change.

In This Episode, We’ll Cover:
✅ The three psychological phases of change: emotional reaction, cognitive shift, and commitment point—and how to support your team through each.
✅ The four types of resistance you’ll encounter (silent resistors, legacy keepers, overwhelmed skeptics, and willing vocal opponents) and strategies for working with each group.
✅ How to acknowledge concerns without losing momentum and frame change in a way that builds trust and buy-in.
✅ Why providing psychological safety is a game-changer in getting your team on board with new initiatives.

Change doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. When you understand what’s really happening beneath the surface, you can lead with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

Join Me for a Live Training on February 20!
If this episode resonated with you, I want to invite you to my live virtual workshop on February 20: "Leading Through Change: How to Transform Your School Without Sacrificing Your Sanity." This 2 hour session will dive even deeper into the key shifts school leaders must make to successfully implement change in 2025.

📅 Date: February 20, 2025 (National Leadership Day)
🕖 Time: 7 PM EST
💡 What You’ll Get: Actionable strategies, a downloadable workbook, and a live Q&A with me!

💻 Secure your spot today! https://www.principalpatterson.com/leading-through-change

Listen now and let’s lead change with confidence!