On June 5, Versique partnered with Holmes Murphy to host an energizing morning of insight, connection, and leadership development for Minnesota business leaders navigating today’s fast-changing workplace. Held at Bridgewater Bank, the event featured a dynamic session led by Dr. Summer Miller, founder of SDM Integrative Consulting and an expert in people-centered transformation. The focus was on how to move from resistance to commitment in the face of ongoing change and uncertainty.
Whether you joined us live or are catching up now, here are the Top 10 Takeaways every leader should keep in their back pocket:
Resistance is a natural, protective response—not a sign of negativity or opposition. It’s our brain’s way of managing uncertainty and maintaining safety. Rather than trying to eliminate it, effective leaders listen to it. Resistance often reveals what people value, fear, or need—and offers insight into how to lead them through change with empathy and clarity.
Certainty is rare in times of change. What people truly need is clarity—about what’s true right now, what’s changing (and what’s not), what it means for them, why it matters, and what to expect next. Clear communication helps people stay grounded when outcomes are still evolving and helps them see a path forward.
Rather than dismissing resistance, view it as a valuable source of feedback. It can reveal confusion, mistrust, or gaps in communication that need to be addressed before alignment can happen.
Leaders can unintentionally increase resistance by viewing it as negative, talking at rather than with people, avoiding hard conversations, sugarcoating reality, or withholding information. Transparency and open two-way communication are key to building trust and engagement.
To build lasting commitment, people need more than just instructions—they need connection:
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Intellectual – understanding the why and what is expected of them
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Emotional – feeling heard, understood, and valued by others
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Relational – trust and support in their leaders and peers
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The most sustainable change doesn’t come from duty or compliance—it comes from belief. When people understand and connect with the purpose behind the change—and believe it will lead to something positive—they’re more likely to commit fully and push through uncertainty or discomfort because they want to be part of it.
When people don’t know what to expect, they fill in the blanks with speculation, often worst-case scenarios. Leaders can reduce this cognitive overload with clear, consistent messaging and repeated reinforcement of “what we know right now.”
Change initiatives are more successful when employees are invited to shape the process. When people feel included and valued, resistance decreases and ownership increases.
Organizational change doesn’t happen on a spreadsheet—it happens through individuals. Leaders must approach change with empathy and a clear understanding of how it impacts people on a human level.
Before leading others through transformation, reflect on your own response to uncertainty. How do you show resistance? How can you shift your mindset toward empathy and resilience? Leading through change starts with self-awareness.
Ready to Lead Change with Confidence?
If your organization is navigating change—or preparing for it—these takeaways are more than theory. They represent the kind of practical, people-first strategies Versique brings to our clients every day through our interim leadership solutions, executive search, and talent consulting services. Whether you need expert guidance like this or a long-term leadership solution, we can help you turn uncertainty into opportunity.
Ready to build a more resilient, change-ready team? Let’s connect.
Contact Versique to explore how we can support your organization’s leadership journey.
