This document discusses process consultation and resistance. It begins by stating that we are all blind to some degree, and outlines learning objectives around gaining more insight into our own and others' resistance. It then reviews key points from the previous week, including how resistance shows itself and its origins. The document explores why we are often blind to signs of resistance, and discusses looking for underlying concerns of vulnerability or control when encountering resistance. It presents approaches to dealing with resistance, such as acknowledging it, allowing full expression, and helping clients voice underlying feelings. Finally, it discusses different forms resistance can take and practicing recognition and response.

1. Process Consultation and Resistance
We are all blind people…
ADLT 610 Consulting Skills
Penny McFarline
October 18, 2010

2. …who can see…

3. …but who do not see.
Jose Saramago, author, Blindness

4. Learning Objectives
What I hope we are able to do today together
More sight, less blindness about our own
resistance and that in others
Deepen and broaden our understanding and
acceptance of it
Practice recognizing and responding to it
What would you like to accomplish today?

5. Recap from last week
How does
resistance show
itself
How should
consultants view
resistance
Definition of
resistance
Origins of
resistance
What do you
remember most
from last week?

6. Why are we blind to signs of resistance?
Others?
Seduced by it
Blind to our
Own resistance
Not practiced
In recognizing
Cues as
resistance
Uncomfortable
Addressing
resistance
Don’t pay
Attention to
cues
Blind to
resistance

7. What are people really concerned
about?

Tip: when you encounter resistance, look for
concerns of vulnerability or control

What are some fears clients may have when
seeking the help of a consultant?
I might lose
control
I am vulnerable

8. If we were Buddhists..
MostMost of the steps to enlightenment involve the self—
knowing one’s own mind.
Tonight we start with the self in regards to
resistance.

9. How do you show resistance?
What are the underlying concerns it is
covering?
Case study of you
With a partner:
Describe a time when you have been the helper or client.
What did your resistance look like?
What underlying concerns (vulnerability, control) did the
manifestation of resistance hide?
What would have helped you to feel like you could share
your underlying concerns?

10. Dealing with Resistance a la Block

Go with it—resistance to resistance is futile!

Encourage full expression so it passes

Help the client state the feelings underneath the
behaviors directly—by expressing it, it can pass

Take three steps

11. Let client
respond
Three Steps (it sounds so easy!)
Identify
it
Name it
Shut up
About it

12. Faces of Resistance

Give me more detail, flood with detail, confusion,
silence, intellectualizing, attack, compliance, flight
into health

Nonverbal: Looking at the time, moving away
from you, bent over, shaking head

Listen to your own cues

What other forms have you encountered?

13. Practice as a group: naming the resistance
The compliant
client
The attacking
client
The method
questioning
client
The “it’s not my
Problem” client
The silent
client
The distracted
client

14. Looking back and moving forward
What forms of resistance might you have already
encountered in your consulting project?
What do you anticipate you will encounter?
How will you and your partner respond to the
resistance?

15. Additional Slides (if there is time)

16. And don’t forget about these as resistance
management techniques
Exploring issues of control and vulnerability in the
contracting phase
Using active inquiry (pure inquiry) and listening a la Schein
to remain present and avoid being seduced by allure of
power
Schein’s principles: ask yourself, am I being helpful? Am I
accessing my ignorance? Am I avoiding judgment? Am I
going with the flow and allowing the client to reveal pain
and anxiety?

17. Special challenges of the internal
consultant

What are some of them?

18. Triangles and Squares Rectangles
U Them
The Man
U Them
The Man The Other Man