Lunch & Learn | From Resistance to Ownership: Leading the Human Side of Project Change
Presentation Title
Lunch & Learn | From Resistance to Ownership: Leading the Human Side of Project Change
Session Abstract
Projects rarely fail because of poor planning alone. They slow down when the human side of change is underestimated.
In today's fast-moving project environments, leaders are constantly navigating change - new systems, new processes, shifting priorities and evolving stakeholder expectations. Yet resistance to change remains one of the top reasons initiatives stall or underperform. Some stakeholders push back openly. Others comply quietly but never fully commit.
So what truly drives resistance? Why does compliance often look like agreement but feel like disengagement? And how can project leaders intentionally create ownership instead of surface-level buy-in?
In this interactive session, we will explore three common behavioral responses that emerge during project change — resistance, compliance, and ownership — and how leaders can intentionally influence movement between them. The session focuses on practical leadership tools that help project professionals recognize behavioral signals early, strengthen engagement, and create genuine accountability within teams.
Whether leading a small initiative or a complex transformation, participants will gain actionable strategies to improve alignment and drive sustainable performance.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the three common behavioral responses to project change - resistance, compliance, and ownership - and recognize early warning signals before they affect performance.
- Apply three practical influence levers - meaning, psychological safety, and participation - to shift teams from passive compliance to active ownership.
- Use targeted leadership questions and conversation prompts to increase accountability, alignment, and commitment in project meetings.
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PDUs
- Power Skills - 1 PDU
Speakers: Roula Eid Sawan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roulaeid/
Roula Eid Sawan is an executive and team coach with over 30 years of leadership experience across industry and international organizations in North America and the Middle East. She is the Founder & CEO of Fingerprint Leadership, partnering with executives and leadership teams navigating growth, complexity, and transformation.
With a systemic and human-centered approach, Roula helps leaders move from resistance and silos to alignment, ownership, and sustainable performance in complex environments.
