Why Pushback Often Confirms You’re Doing the Right Work
Resistance is uncomfortable.
In athletic communications, resistance can come from anywhere:
Coaches frustrated with messaging or timing
Administrators pushing back on priorities
Fans reacting emotionally
Colleagues questioning change
The natural instinct is to interpret resistance as a warning sign.
Sometimes it is.
Often, it is not.
Resistance Is a Byproduct of Change
Any meaningful improvement disrupts routine.
When SIDs raise standards, clarify processes, or introduce new approaches, resistance frequently follows—not because the work is wrong, but because it is different.
Familiar systems feel safe. Change introduces accountability.
Resistance, in this context, is not rejection. It is adjustment.
Leaders who abandon direction at the first sign of pushback rarely build anything lasting.
Why Resistance Feels Personal
Athletic communications sits at the intersection of emotion, identity, and public perception.
Pushback can feel personal because:
The work is visible
Timelines are compressed
Stakes feel high
Foundational Comfort allows SIDs to separate feedback about the work from judgment about themselves.
This distinction is critical.
Without it, resistance becomes discouragement. With it, resistance becomes data.
Resistance as Information
Not all resistance should be ignored.
Strong leaders evaluate it.
Useful questions include:
Is the resistance about clarity or control?
Is it rooted in misunderstanding or inconvenience?
Does it challenge the goal, or the method?
Resistance often highlights where communication needs refinement—not abandonment.
The presence of resistance means people are paying attention.
Staying Steady When Pushback Arrives
When resistance surfaces, Foundational Comfort shows up through consistency.
Steady SIDs:
Re-explain the purpose without defensiveness
Maintain standards without escalation
Listen without surrendering direction
This steadiness builds credibility.
Over time, resistance often turns into respect—not because everyone agrees, but because leadership remains disciplined.
When Resistance Should Cause Reflection
Resistance is not a signal to stop.
It is a signal to check alignment.
Ask:
Is the purpose clear?
Are expectations communicated consistently?
Are standards being applied fairly?
If the answers hold, forward movement remains appropriate.
Stopping at resistance teaches organizations that pushback is a veto.
Question
Leadership does not eliminate resistance.
It navigates it.
Ask yourself:
Where am I mistaking resistance for failure?
What part of the message needs reinforcement, not retreat?
How can I stay steady without becoming rigid?
Foundational Comfort allows SIDs to remain grounded when pushback arrives.
Resistance is not a signal to stop.
It is often confirmation that the work matters.
Reflection: What resistance are you currently facing—and what would steady leadership look like in response?
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