Just 6 days ago, change management professionals gathered in Southampton for a highly engaging in-person workshop focused on one of the most persistent challenges facing organisations today: resistance to change. Hosted by the Change Management Institute (CMI) Southampton chapter, the session - Understanding and Managing Resistance to Change - was led by Carlos Pullen-Ferreira, Principal Consultant at AssistKD.

Moving Beyond Process: Why People Dynamics Matter

While organisations continue to invest heavily in change frameworks, methodologies, and tools, the workshop highlighted a critical truth: change initiatives rarely fail because of process - they fail because of people dynamics.

Drawing on doctoral research and extensive experience working with multinational organisations, Carlos challenged common assumptions about resistance. Rather than viewing it as a barrier, attendees were encouraged to see resistance as a signal - one that can be understood, managed, and even leveraged to drive better outcomes.

Key Insights from the Workshop

The session focused on practical, real-world strategies for navigating the human side of change, including:

• Why resistance to change is often misunderstood
  Resistance is not always negative; it can reflect uncertainty, lack of trust, or misalignment that leaders need to address.
• The power of informal networks and conversations
  So-called “gossip” and informal discussions play a significant role in shaping momentum within organisations - influencing how change is perceived and adopted.
• Building trust to influence change effectively
  Attendees explored how to work with informal networks to build credibility, foster trust, and create advocates for change. 
   

Practical Learning for Change Professionals

Unlike purely theoretical sessions, this workshop emphasised actionable techniques that leaders, business analysts, and change professionals can apply immediately within their organisations.

Participants left with a deeper understanding of how to:

• Identify underlying causes of resistance
• Engage stakeholders more effectively
• Turn scepticism into constructive dialogue
• Strengthen the human skills essential for successful change delivery  

Strengthening Soft Skills for Organisational Change

For those unable to attend this event, AssistKD continues to share insights on the critical soft skills that underpin effective change and transformation. Read our exclusive articles here:

• Essential Soft Skills for Business Analysts
• Essential Soft Skills for Service Designers 

These resources reinforce a central theme from the Southampton event: technical expertise alone is not enough — success in change management depends on communication, influence, and emotional intelligence.
If you want to find out more about this important subject Carlos is going to present at the upcoming IRM Business Change and Transformation Conference. In addition, look out for the forthcoming BA Brew due to be released on 15th May.

Building the Skills That Make Change Happen

AssistKD is a leading training and apprenticeships provider helping organisations turn change into real, measurable results. Our expert-led courses in Business Analysis, Service Design, and Change Management focus on practical skills you can apply immediately in your role.
Whether you're looking to strengthen your own capability or upskill your team, we’ll help you build the confidence and expertise to deliver lasting impact.

Explore our professional training courses and start building the skills that make change happen: https://www.assistkd.com/our-business-training-courses-classes