(32) Why People Resist Change: A Primary Human Goods Approach

8.30am – 9.30am MST, 4 March 2027 ‐ 1 hour

Room: Red Rock 2

Workshop Sessions

Even well-designed change initiatives can stall when leaders misunderstand the reasons behind resistance. Concerns about autonomy, competence, security, and connection often play a role, but individual motivations are more complex.

This session introduces Primary Human Goods, a research-informed framework that identifies 11 fundamental needs influencing human motivation and well-being, including knowledge, agency, relationships, community, creativity, and inner peace. Rather than treating resistance as an obstacle to overcome, learn to recognize what individuals or teams may fear losing and tailor change conversations accordingly.

Through a case example, examine how specific human goods influence resistance in a real-world scenario. Then use a practical priority inventory to identify which needs matter most to members of your own team.

Leave with a coaching tool for navigating resistance and leading more responsive, human-centered conversations when implementing changes in school policy or practice.