Resistance is...a good thing
Created by Susan Miltenberger (Maryland Institute College of Art) on January 21, 2007
I went for a bike ride on Saturday and it was a particularly windy day in Baltimore -- gusts between 18-22 mph. The way to ride in the wind is to lean into the gust in order to keep yourself upright (and to keep from getting blow across the road). Of course you have to be a bit careful -- as soon as the blast lets up continuing to lean (into the calm) may make you swerve into traffic or someone's mailbox.
Until two years ago I was convinced that riding in the wind was superior to riding in the hills. An epiphany occured after a time trial on the eastern shore of Maryland where the roads are pancake flat but the wind whips all around the course. I realized that hills have definite beginnings and ends and the wind does not. It keeps right on whipping your face or sides -- and you never know when it might start up again (or when it might end). Unlike climbing, there is no way to plan for recovery.
Riding in the wind, much like riding the hills, does make you stronger (just ask Lance Armstrong). And it was during my windy ride on Saturday -- as I was leaning into a gust on a downhill -- that I realized the resistance of wind is really no different that the resistance I've encountered leading technolgy initiatives at my institution.
MICA is just begining a multi-year technology iniative that encompasses web applications; our administrative systems and academic programs. In many respects, I consider this project to be a complete re-invention of how we do business (from paying bills to educating students). And while it's absolutey thrilling to be leading many of these objectives, I know there will be resistance along the way. In fact, there's been plenty of resistance just getting to the point of making an institutional commitment. And successful navigation through this resistance to change has required a bit of leaning toward the reluctance in order to get through it. In fact, accepting and embracing the resistance has been critical to getting buy-in and support.
When you're riding through the wind on a bike you can choose to accept it as a part of the experience and work with it; or you can fight it the entire way. During that time trial on the eastern shore, I fought the wind for 40 km and not only did I have a horrible finish, it was the most exhausting race. Facing fear and resistance with technology initiatives is no different.
Constant (and repeated) efforts to try to change the opposition are much like spinning your pedals and only going inches. Acknowledging the unwillingness to embrace a change provides some resistance in the gears and actually allows you to gain ground. As project leaders and innovators in our communities we need to lean on resistance and use it to sure us up. By leaning with those who are most reluctant we begin to help them move toward accepting change. And when they begin to accept change you are in for a great ride -- the wind disappears and suddenly you effortlessly move full speed ahead.
Each time we move with the resistance we get stronger. And our institutions become stronger. And that's a really good thing because there is bound to be another windy day.
Until two years ago I was convinced that riding in the wind was superior to riding in the hills. An epiphany occured after a time trial on the eastern shore of Maryland where the roads are pancake flat but the wind whips all around the course. I realized that hills have definite beginnings and ends and the wind does not. It keeps right on whipping your face or sides -- and you never know when it might start up again (or when it might end). Unlike climbing, there is no way to plan for recovery.
Riding in the wind, much like riding the hills, does make you stronger (just ask Lance Armstrong). And it was during my windy ride on Saturday -- as I was leaning into a gust on a downhill -- that I realized the resistance of wind is really no different that the resistance I've encountered leading technolgy initiatives at my institution.
MICA is just begining a multi-year technology iniative that encompasses web applications; our administrative systems and academic programs. In many respects, I consider this project to be a complete re-invention of how we do business (from paying bills to educating students). And while it's absolutey thrilling to be leading many of these objectives, I know there will be resistance along the way. In fact, there's been plenty of resistance just getting to the point of making an institutional commitment. And successful navigation through this resistance to change has required a bit of leaning toward the reluctance in order to get through it. In fact, accepting and embracing the resistance has been critical to getting buy-in and support.
When you're riding through the wind on a bike you can choose to accept it as a part of the experience and work with it; or you can fight it the entire way. During that time trial on the eastern shore, I fought the wind for 40 km and not only did I have a horrible finish, it was the most exhausting race. Facing fear and resistance with technology initiatives is no different.
Constant (and repeated) efforts to try to change the opposition are much like spinning your pedals and only going inches. Acknowledging the unwillingness to embrace a change provides some resistance in the gears and actually allows you to gain ground. As project leaders and innovators in our communities we need to lean on resistance and use it to sure us up. By leaning with those who are most reluctant we begin to help them move toward accepting change. And when they begin to accept change you are in for a great ride -- the wind disappears and suddenly you effortlessly move full speed ahead.
Each time we move with the resistance we get stronger. And our institutions become stronger. And that's a really good thing because there is bound to be another windy day.
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