Good leadership involves skills for leading change, but what is a leader supposed to do when met with nothing but resistance? Resistance comes in many forms, from employees dragging their feet to sabotaging change initiatives to outright rebellion. One of the best 
ways leaders can overcome these stumbling blocks is by understanding the most common reasons behind resistance. Knowing what you’re up against — and why — can help you develop a strategy for working through change-related obstacles. And although it’s difficult to ensure that people feel comfortable with change 100 percent of the time, there are some steps leaders can take to help minimize discomfort.
Uncertainty. “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.” Have you heard this saying before? Most people don’t like the feeling of being blinded, and if change feels like walking in the dark, they’re more likely to reject it. In times of change, help to eliminate uncertainty by creating a vision of the change for employees to look to.
Lack of control. Many times, change doesn’t only disrupt work flow, it can also take away people’s autonomy and make them feel they’ve lost the control they once had. A good leader will consider these feelings and give others an opportunity to help plan and make decisions about the change.
Doubting competence. If you doubt your ability to succeed at something new, you may feel resistant to try it — especially if you feel embarrassed to try in front of other people. Leaders can help employees feel more confident in the midst of change by providing plenty of training, education, information, and support.
One universal truth when it comes to change? It’s work. But it doesn’t have to be more work than it needs to be. As leaders and individuals work together to overcome resistance, stumbling blocks and obstacles can be removed from the path and real progress toward goals can be made.