Question Everything: Turning Resistance into Decision Quality Learning

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

Spring 5-2-2026

Keywords

Organizational Change, resistance, systems thinking

Abstract

Predominant narratives in organizational change practice characterize resistance to change as an individual deficiency to overcome or a constraint to eliminate. When resistance is labeled an obstacle, inquiry becomes an optional soft skill and learning becomes an event rather than a capability. This project reframes resistance as a critical diagnostic signal and positions inquiry as decision infrastructure—a repeatable way leaders engage resistance through pre-decision inquiry and collaborative sensemaking. Leaders, managers, and change practitioners can improve change adoption, reduce decision debt, and prevent recurring resistance loops by treating dissent as signal and institutionalizing learning as part of how decisions are made.

Contact Link

Share

COinS