We’ve communicated the vision.
We’ve explained the why.
We’ve provided the training.
So why aren’t people on board?
That question – why aren’t people on board? – is a common question by educational leaders.
When a new initiative struggles to gain traction, it’s easy to assume people are resistant to change. But in our experience, resistance is often something else entirely.
Check out what the Director of Cairn Guidance has to say about Resistance.
More often, people are responding to different concerns about the change.
Some want more information.
Some are worried about how the change will affect them personally.
Some are overwhelmed by the logistics of implementation.
Others are already thinking about how to improve the initiative and make it even stronger.
The challenge for leaders is that these concerns rarely show up on a spreadsheet or implementation plan. They show up in conversations, questions, hesitation, skepticism, and competing priorities. That’s why understanding how people experience change is just as important as understanding the change itself. At Cairn Guidance, we help organizations explore these dynamics through facilitated learning experiences that make the invisible visible.
One of the frameworks embedded within our Making Change™ simulation is the Stages of Concern model (Hord & Hall, 2014), which recognizes that individuals experience change differently and require different types of support depending on where they are in the process. Participants often discover that what appears to be resistance is actually a request for information, support, collaboration, or clarity.
Recently, after participating in a facilitated simulation experience, one educational leader shared:
That’s the power of simulation-based learning! Participants move beyond abstract conversations about change and experience the dynamics firsthand. Teams develop a shared language, uncover assumptions, and explore strategies for moving forward together.
Whether you’re implementing a new curriculum, launching a strategic plan, strengthening family engagement efforts, or navigating system-wide improvement initiatives, understanding how people experience change can help leaders respond more effectively.
Free Resource: Stages of Concern Quick Reference
Looking for a simple tool to use with your team?
Download our Stages of Concern Quick Reference Guide to better understand the questions people may be asking during periods of change and the support they need at each stage. The guide outlines concerns ranging from awareness (“I am not concerned about it.”) to collaboration and refocusing (“I have some ideas about something that would work better.”) and can help leaders tailor communication and support strategies.
Bring a Simulation to Your Team
Cairn Guidance facilitates learning experiences with districts, state agencies, educational service centers, nonprofits, and partner organizations across the country. Whether you’re implementing a new initiative, navigating resistance, or building leadership capacity, our facilitated simulations create a safe environment to practice, reflect, and learn together.
If your team is navigating change and you’d like to explore how a simulation could support your goals, we’d love to talk.
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