Understand and Overcome Resistance to Change

The ability to understand and overcome resistance to change increases when one recognizes and avoids common misconceptions about change. Fullan and Miles (1992) point out that our "maps of change" often are incorrect or inappropriate for what we are trying to do:

Faulty Maps of Change

"It's hard to get a destination when your map doesn't accurately represent the territory you're to traverse. Everyone involved in school reform - teachers, administrators, parents, students, district staff members, consultants, board members, state department officials, legislators, materials developers, publishers, test-makers, teacher educators, researchers - has a personal map of how change proceeds. These constructs are often expressed in the form of a proposition or statement.

"Resistance is inevitable, because people resist change.
"Every school is unique.
"Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.
"Schools are essentially conservative institutions, harder to change than other organizations.
"You just have to live reform one day at a time.
"You need a mission, objectives, and a series of tasks laid out well in advance.
"You can never please everyone, so just push ahead with reforms.
"Full participation of everyone involved in a change is essential.
"Keep it simple, stupid: go for small, easy changes rather than big, demanding ones.
"Mandate change, because people won't do it otherwise."