Resistance in Action: Turning Values into Impact
Transitions—whether in public life or within organizations—reveal what we stand for. They test our ability to stay grounded in our values while navigating uncertainty and change.
This week’s political transitions, coupled with sweeping executive orders signaling a step backward, have reminded me of the active work required to build trust, foster inclusivity, and drive progress. In a recent conversation, Jon Stewart and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explored the tension between lofty ideals and the challenge of delivering actionable outcomes—a dynamic that resonates far beyond politics.
(link to their full conversation here)
This tension isn’t unique to policy or governance; it plays out in our professional lives every day. Ambitious goals are often met with the complexities of execution, forcing us to confront the gap between intention and impact.
But resistance isn’t about rigid opposition for its own sake. It’s about courageously challenging misalignments with our values while offering better, actionable alternatives. While I’m not a politician or policy writer, the professional context I navigate requires a similar balancing act: navigating nuance, fostering collaboration, and staying focused on delivering measurable, meaningful outcomes.
The Foundation of Resistance – Learning to be Brave
Resistance begins with courage: the willingness to speak up, take risks, and stand firm in the face of adversity. But courage alone isn’t enough. It must be paired with compassion, which allows us to listen, understand, and build bridges across divides. Compassion ensures that our resistance unites rather than alienates.
Curiosity rounds us and tempers our tendency toward judgement. It pushes us to challenge entrenched assumptions, remain open to new ideas, and adapt when circumstances demand it. Together they empower us to engage constructively while challenging the status quo.
In my own career, I’ve seen how these principles come into play. At a previous role in a startup, I stood against a culture that prioritized harmony over hard conversations. By addressing ignored risks and advocating for more thoughtful processes, I helped foster safer working conditions and better decision-making. Resistance here wasn’t about loud opposition—it was about making space for people to work more safely and thrive while pursuing innovation in a deliberate way.
Lessons from History—Progress Is Not a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Progress is never automatic—it’s earned through sustained effort. History reminds us that meaningful change requires more than passion; it demands persistence, the courage to fail, and the resilience to try again. From the suffragette movement to the fight for civil rights, these moments of resistance teach us that we must actively resist the pull to retreat into complacency or revert to less compassionate ways of being.
In the workplace, resistance to outdated practices or inequitable systems often mirrors these historical struggles. It calls for evidence-based approaches, the courage to confront entrenched norms, and the determination to challenge inertia—even when it’s uncomfortable. Progress doesn’t come from simply maintaining the status quo; it comes from questioning it.
As a facilitator, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of creating spaces where diverse voices feel safe to share their challenges and perspectives. These conversations often lead to systemic solutions that benefit not just individuals, but the entire team or organization. In this context, resistance is about fostering trust, embracing honesty, and creating the foundation for meaningful and lasting action
Aligning Values and Actions—The Hard Work of Making Change Real
One of the key insights from Stewart and Ocasio-Cortez’s conversation was the skepticism surrounding ambitious policies or programs that fail to deliver. This skepticism often arises when actions don’t align with values, eroding trust in both institutions and the individuals behind them.
In professional contexts, we often measure success by surface-level metrics like timelines and budgets. While important, these measures fail to address the deeper, more critical questions:
This is where Margaret Mead’s timeless words resonate: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
In our work, this means recognizing the power of deliberate, collective action to address root causes rather than merely symptoms. Progress happens when we focus on impact—on creating initiatives that truly improve quality of life, foster equity, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
By stepping back and asking the hard questions, we can ensure that the work we do aligns with our values and drives meaningful, lasting change. Resistance isn’t just about standing against something; it’s about building something better together.
Resistance as a Collective Act
While resistance often begins with individuals, its real power lies in collective action. Major societal progress—the civil rights movement, women’s suffrage, and workers' rights—was made possible when diverse voices united around shared goals. These movements remind us that no single individual drives change alone; it’s the collective energy of many people, contributing their perspectives and strengths, that creates momentum.
In professional settings, this principle holds true. Progress happens when we create environments that foster trust, accountability, and collaboration. For example:
The civil rights movement offers a compelling example. While figures like Martin Luther King Jr. provided inspiration, it was the collective action of students, activists, and communities that drove systemic change. Similarly, within organizations, progress relies on building coalitions of people committed to creating something better together.
The Role of Personal Accountability in Resistance
At its core, resistance requires each of us to examine our own behaviors and contributions. It means asking:
These questions were just as relevant to historical movements as they are today. Consider the women’s suffrage movement: every individual had to decide how far they were willing to go—whether to march, write, or even face arrest—to advance the cause. That same accountability to values inspired others and strengthened the movement.
In a professional context, personal accountability might mean speaking up when a colleague’s perspective is overlooked, challenging an ineffective practice, or owning up to a mistake. These moments, though uncomfortable, set the tone for a culture of trust, humility, and growth.
Bending the Arc Toward Justice, Together
Resistance isn’t a single act—it’s an ongoing practice. It’s the courage to stand by our convictions, the compassion to build bridges, and the curiosity to keep learning. Most importantly, it’s about aligning our actions with our values in ways that deliver lasting, meaningful change.
In the face of today’s challenges, we must resist the pull of cynicism and apathy. Together, through deliberate and collective effort, we can bend the arc of history—not through hope alone, but through action.