Harnessing the Power of Resistance

by Scherz, Jared

• ISBN13: 9781930556768
• ISBN10: 1930556764
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-02-01
• Publisher: Eye on Education

Summary

This book provides rare insights about interpersonal relationships in schools. Most school and classroom leaders view resistance as a hostile threat. But this book shows you how to use it and harness it for school success.In this book, you'll see how resistant people can poison staff meetings, harm relationships with parents and students, and complicate evaluations and observations. You'll recognize the various types of people who resist - the "swallower", the "projector", the "reflector", the "deflector", etc.This book describes how educators typically deal with resistance - by overpowering it, avoiding it, or circumventing it. But author Jared Scherz goes further and suggests productive ways of harnessing its potential.

Table of Contents

About the Author	v
Acknowledgments	vii
Part I Developing a Plan	1	(8)
Goals for Reading this Book	3	(6)
Improve Your Relationships with Colleagues	6	(1)
Engage Students with Greater Ease	7	(1)
Decrease Tensions Within the Hierarchy of School	7	(1)
Improve Your Confidence Through Self-Awareness	8	(1)
Part II Appreciating Resistance	9	(36)
Understanding Resistance	11	(12)
Typical Definitions of Resistance	13	(2)
The Balance Perspective	15	(2)
It All Begins with Curiosity	17	(2)
The Power of Resistance	19	(1)
The Cycle of Experience	19	(2)
Summary	21	(1)
Suggested Reading	21	(2)
Causes of Resistance	23	(10)
A Desire Not to Give up Something of Value	26	(2)
A Misunderstanding of the Change and its Implications	28	(1)
A Belief That the Change Does Not Make Sense for the Organization	29	(1)
A Belief That the Change Does Not Make Sense for Themselves	30	(2)
A Low Tolerance for Change	31	(1)
Summary	32	(1)
Suggested Reading	32	(1)
Styles of Expressing Resistance	33	(12)
The Swallower	36	(1)
The Projector	37	(1)
The Reflector	38	(1)
The Deflector	39	(1)
The Merger	40	(1)
The Desensitizer	41	(1)
Summary	42	(3)
Part III Approaching Resistance	45	(56)
Typical Ways of Dealing with Resistance	47	(8)
Overpowering	50	(1)
Avoiding	51	(1)
Circumventing	52	(1)
Summary	53	(2)
Working with Resistance	55	(14)
The Paradoxical Theory of Change	57	(4)
Experience the Present State	58	(1)
Explore the Objections First	59	(1)
Set Aside Investment in the Outcome	60	(1)
Don't Reinforce Opposition	60	(1)
Reframing Resistance	61	(3)
Multidirectional Energy as Acceptable	61	(1)
Multidirectional Energy as Malleable and Time-Sensitive	62	(1)
Multidirectional Energy as Informative	63	(1)
Polarities	64	(2)
The Value of Resistance	66	(2)
Resisters Seek to Protect the System's Integrity and Core Values	66	(1)
Resisters See Consequences That the Initiators of Change Have Not Anticipated and That May Threaten the System's Well Being	67	(1)
Resisters React Particularly to Changes They View as Reducing the Self-esteem, Competence, or Autonomy of Individuals Within the System	67	(1)
Summary	68	(1)
Suggested Reading	68	(1)
Strategies for Success	69	(20)
Primary Tools	71	(8)
Empathize with the Individual or Group	72	(4)
Describe Your Own Experience When Appropriate	76	(1)
Model Healthy Adaptation	77	(2)
Secondary Tools	79	(8)
Draw out Resistance into the Open Where You Can Address it	79	(1)
Identify the Source and Nature of Resistance	80	(3)
Match the Level of Intensity	83	(1)
State Your Appreciation for the Way Others Experience Change	84	(1)
Adjust Your Approach Depending upon Whether You Initiate the Change or it Comes from an Outside Source	85	(1)
Pay Attention to Your Own Needs and Choices	86	(1)
Summary	87	(1)
Suggested Reading	87	(2)
Effects of Working with Resistance	89	(12)
Fragmentation to Cohesion	94	(1)
Dissension to Commitment	95	(1)
Inefficiency to Productivity	96	(1)
Solitariness to Teamwork	97	(2)
Summary	99	(1)
Suggested Reading	99	(2)
Part IV Putting Change into Practice	101	(30)
The Nature of Change	103	(10)
The Cycle of Change	105	(1)
Approaches to Change	106	(2)
Types of Change	108	(3)
Incremental Change	108	(1)
Transitional Change	109	(1)
Transformational Change	110	(1)
Summary	111	(1)
Suggested Reading	111	(2)
Common Areas of Resistance	113	(10)
Staff Meetings	115	(1)
Evaluations and Observations	116	(1)
Staff Development	117	(1)
Dealing with Parents	118	(1)
Dealing with Students	119	(2)
In Elementary Schools	119	(1)
In Secondary Schools	120	(1)
Suggested Reading	121	(2)
Adaptation	123	(8)
Adaptation Varies with Organizational Shape	125	(1)
Adaptation Depends on Awareness	126	(2)
Adaptation Requires and Generates Learning	128	(1)
Adaptation Reflects the Organization's Culture	129	(1)
Putting it All Together	130	(1)
Summary	131	(1)
Suggested Reading	131