Episode 93: Understanding Losses and Resistance with Adriano Pianesi

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome back Adriano Pianesi, an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University. In our last conversation, Adriano left us with a powerful quote by Ron Ivins that has stuck with me: “People love change, what they hate are lawsuits.” This idea set the stage for a profound discussion on the nature of change, resistance, and the importance of asking the right questions.

Often, the resistance we encounter isn't about the change itself but about what people fear they might lose in the process. Adriano made a compelling case that skepticism and resistance are crucial, as they can highlight what's truly valuable within an organization.

We then explored the common pitfalls of change initiatives. Adriano pointed out that many efforts at change skip essential steps, jumping straight to solutions without fully understanding the problems or involving the people who will be most affected. This brought us to the adaptive leadership framework, where consultants like Adriano facilitate change, but the real work happens within the organization. It's about engaging the people on the ground, understanding their perspectives, and letting them drive the change.

One of the most enlightening parts of our conversation was Adriano's focus on asking the right questions. He introduced the concept of "living questions," which create space for inquiry and invite broad participation. Living questions allow us to up a dialogue that can lead to more thoughtful and sustainable change.

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