Change is part of every leader’s job, but resistance is not always a communication problem.

In this episode, Dean Newlund talks with Travis Hahler about the neuroscience behind resistance and how leaders can help people move forward through change.

In this episode, Dean Newlund and Travis Hahler discuss:

• The brain’s response to uncertainty and why change can trigger resistance
• Neurological barriers that shape transitions and influence responses
• Loss, ambiguity, and emotional reactions during change
• Leadership approaches to resistance and creating room for adaptation
• Staying curious as new technologies reshape how we work

Key Takeaways:

• Resistance is often neurological rather than willful refusal; think in terms of routine, threat bias, and ambiguity aversion.
• Diagnose perceived loss by naming what people may fear losing, such as control, competence, relationships, or comfort.
• Create space and structure for adaptation with pacing, repetition, and safe opportunities to practice and fail.
• Use curiosity to surface root causes by asking what people need and what information or support is missing.
• Balance learning with delivery by protecting time for training and experimentation while keeping essential work moving.

“Every change equals loss. And so it just naturally is something that our brain kind of pushes against.” — Travis Hahler

About Travis Hahler:

Travis D. Hahler transforms how Fortune 500 companies navigate change by revealing a startling truth: Resistance isn’t rebellion—it’s biology. As Senior Director of Global Strategy and Transformation at Salesforce and Founder of The Neurological Nomad, Hahler brings neuroscience and business acumen to organizational transformation. Over fifteen years, Hahler has guided more than one hundred companies through successful transformations. Rethink Resistance represents Hahler’s mission to democratize neuroscience for business leaders.

Connect with Travis Hahler:  

Website: https://www.theneurologicalnomad.com/

Book: RETHINK RESISTANCE: Embracing Neuroscience to Lead Transformational Change: https://www.amazon.com/Rethink-Resistance-Embracing-Neuroscience-Transformational/dp/1639081895

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisdhahler/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneurologicalnomad/

See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I

Connect with Dean:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw

Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/

The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/

Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com

Phone: 1-800-926-7370

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You’re the expert. Your podcast will prove it.