The Physics of Resistance
Why are we surprised by resistance to new ideas? It’s predictable. Isaac Newton observed in 1687 that objects at rest stay at rest, and objects in motion stay in motion – unless acted upon by force.
Too often, leaders interpret “force” as pressure, reiterate the business case, and push harder, mandate faster, override objections. That misses the point. Newton defined force as mass and acceleration, not brute pressure.
Another common misread is assuming resistance is personal – laziness, distrust, stubbornness, or lack of adaptability. It’s not. Resistance is natural, and it should be expected from the outset – not treated as a surprise or a flaw.
Resistance stems from four underlying fears:
Safety – concern about problems, errors, or danger
Sacrifice – fear of personal loss, career, or relationships
Success – doubt of achievement or unintended consequences
Skills – inadequate talent, training, or staffing
