Resisting “Resistance”: Why Leaders Keep Misreading the Room

*What if the people you’re labelling as “resistant” areactually trying to save your project?* In this episode of Lessons Not Yet Learnt, host KiranKachela is joined by change management expert Ket Patel to unpack one of the most misunderstood dynamics in transformation: resistance. Through real-world examples and honest reflection, they challenge the idea that resistance is a problem to eliminate - revealing instead how it can act as a critical source of insight, risk visibility, and ultimately, better decision-making. From mislabelled “blockers” to overlooked feedback loops, this episode explores why leaders often resist resistance and the cost of getting it wrong. This isn’t about slowing down change. It’s about making sure it actually works.   In this episode, we cover: · Why “resistance” is often mislabelled feedback and what happens when it’s ignored · How overlooking frontline insight can lead to costly failure and missed risks · The role of human behaviour in change and why it’s not “soft and fluffy” but valuable data · Why leaders mistake communication for true change management · The danger of avoiding uncomfortable conversations and how it impacts adoption · How reframing resistance as insight can improve outcomes, engagement, and decision-making · The responsibility of leaders and teams to create space for honest, open dialogue   **About Our Guest** Ket Patel - Change Management Practitioner & Coach. Ket Patel is a seasoned change practitioner with over 20years of experience leading the people side of transformation across global organisations, including EY and Morgan Stanley. Now running his own consultancy, Ket helps organisationsreframe how they approach change - shifting the focus from rigid processes and timelines to human behaviour, insight, and real-world outcomes. His work centres on making change management more practical, accessible, and outcome-driven - helping leaders move beyond labels like “resistance” and instead engage with what’s really happening beneath the surface.   **Follow us on:** Instagram @Lessonsnotyetlearnt TikTok @Lessonsnotyetlearnt YouTube @Lessonsnotyetlearnt   **Want to get involved?** To ask Kiran a question, be a guest, or sponsor an episode,visit our website: www.lessonsnotyetlearnt.com