Leading can be a struggle when someone openly resists you. Be it a team member, friend or loved one, resistance feels like it is hurting us.

You may feel challenged or not believed. Or possibly the vision you presented to your organization is put to the test. Maybe you entered into an agreement and now the agreement is in question.

Resistance comes in many shapes and sizes. None of them are easy to deal with.

Yet, I believe, resistance is critical to the success of great leaders.

Resistance is most commonly found in flight. 

When a plane prepares to take-off, you hear the roar of the engines. Then, you feel the plane roll forward. Finally, you sense the resistance the plane faces just before the wheels leave the ground.

Something is holding the airplane from taking off—at least temporarily.

The airplane will face air resistance. The air will push back against the plane, trying to slow it down. Then, the airplane will win. 

This resistance isn’t a bad thing for the airplane. In fact, the airplane needs resistance to take off and to stay in the air.

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it” – Henry Ford 

Have you ever felt resistance to an idea or vision? 

Don’t be frustrated when you begin to push toward a vision or goal and experience resistance. This may temporarily slow you down, but then, the resistance will do something you may not expect.

As you accelerate against this resistance, you will rise up. You will take off and launch faster than you would have without it.

Photo source: istock