
Next, she will ask herself what might have motivated the assessment. This can be painful and result in a degree of paralysis as she takes the critique to heart. First, she’ll react to the suggestion she change by feeling hurt, undervalued, even betrayed. Helgesen: A woman who resists change will usually follow a different template. Third, he is likely to simply attack the person who suggested that he change, blaming the messenger rather than looking to himself. Second, he decides that, while the general suggestion for change might be valid, it doesn’t necessarily apply to him for the simple reason that he’s been so successful. First, he decides that whoever is suggesting that he change must be confused. In my coaching practice, I find that a successful man who resists change often goes through three stages. But men and women often resist change in slightly different ways. This consumes energy and takes us out of our comfort zone.

As humans, most of us are resistant to change because it requires a lot of neural work to practice new behaviors. Marshall Goldsmith: Resistance is a powerful force.
