Handle Subtle Resistance Without Escalating It

Handling subtle resistance at work – practical conflict resolution and leadership communication skills. Learn how to handle workplace resistance, nonverbal pushback, and low level conflict at work without escalating it. Walk away with a simple, research-backed guide to managing difficult team members while improving team trust and psychological safety.

What You'll Learn:

• Spot the early signs of subtle resistance (slow replies, vague commitments, information hoarding) before they turn into open conflict.
• Use calm, curious questions to explore what’s really driving resistance instead of reacting with frustration or blame.
• Differentiate between resistance rooted in autonomy, status, or workload concerns so you can respond with the right strategy.
• Apply a 3-step conversation framework to address low level conflict at work without escalating tension.
• Practice leadership communication skills that reduce defensiveness and increase psychological safety in your team.
• Turn nonverbal resistance in teams into constructive dialogue that strengthens trust and collaboration.
• Translate insights from this episode into one concrete action you can take with a specific team member this week.
• Create a simple personal plan to notice, document, and follow up on subtle resistance patterns over time.