---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most people don't like change. They…"
description: "\"Most people don't like change. They revolt against it unless they can clearly see the advantage it brings. For that reason, when good leaders prepare t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-c-maxwell-113_action_most-people-don-t-like-change-they-revol_1523343.jpg"
---

#  Most people don't like change. They revolt against it…

![“Most people don't like change. They revolt against it unless they can clearly see the advantage it brings. For that reason, when good leaders prepare to take action or make changes, they take people through a process to get them ready for it.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-c-maxwell-113_action_most-people-don-t-like-change-they-revol_1523343.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-c-maxwell-113_action_most-people-don-t-like-change-they-revol_1523343.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-c-maxwell-113_action_most-people-don-t-like-change-they-revol_1523343.jpg)

> “Most people don't like change. They revolt against it unless they can clearly see the advantage it brings. For that reason, when good leaders prepare to take action or make changes, they take people through a process to get them ready for it.”

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People resist change unless they see clear benefits; effective leaders guide them through a preparatory process to gain acceptance.

**In simple terms:** Change is resisted without visible advantage; leaders must prepare people.

Key Takeaway

Show benefits and guide through change.

Themes

leadership change management resistance benefits process

Mood

motivational strategic

Type

leadership inspirational

When to use this quote

- company restructuring
- policy implementation
- technology adoption

Key Concepts

organizational behavior psychology strategic communication

Questions to Reflect On

- How can leaders identify hidden concerns?
- What methods build visible advantage for stakeholders?

A Different Perspective

Not all resistance can be eliminated by explanation alone.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change Revolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-revolt-5635877/) [Changes People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changes-people-253171/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Good leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-leader/) [Good Leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-leaders/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Like Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-change-357069/) [Make Changes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-changes-249334/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ready/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Revolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolt/)

## Related quotes

> [Good leadership isn't about advancing yourself. It's about advancing your team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/good-leadership-isn-t-about-advancing-yourself-it-s-about-advancing/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Good leaders understand that they are stewards. They must find the best people they can, giving them the opportunity to join in the journey…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/good-leaders-understand-that-they-are-stewards-they-must-find-the/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Without leadership ability,a person's impact is only a fraction of what it could be with good leadership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/without-leadership-ability-a-person-s-impact-is-only-a-fraction-of/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Good leaders must communicate vision clearly, creatively, and continually. However, the vision doesn't come alive until the leader models it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/good-leaders-must-communicate-vision-clearly-creatively-and/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [All good leaders are connectors. They relate well and make people feel confident about themselves and their leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/all-good-leaders-are-connectors-they-relate-well-and-make-people-feel/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [When you need to make changes, even when people don't want to change, you have to pick the company up and change it, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-jassy/when-you-need-to-make-changes-even-when-people-don-t-want-to-change/)

[Andy Jassy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-jassy/)

> [You have to make changes before people are clamoring for changes. If people are asking for changes, it's too late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-shore/you-have-to-make-changes-before-people-are-clamoring-for-changes-if/)

[David Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-shore/)

> [Leadership does not mean being bossy, always telling others what to do. No, leadership means going ahead, not putting others in the front. Good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/leadership-does-not-mean-being-bossy-always-telling-others-what-to-do/)

[Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/)

> [Winning companies win because they have good leaders who nurture the development of other leaders at all levels of the organization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-tichy/winning-companies-win-because-they-have-good-leaders-who-nurture-the/)

[Noel Tichy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-tichy/)

> [“Good leaders don’t just give people more work, they give them harder work—a bigger challenge that prompts deep learning and growth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-wiseman/good-leaders-don-t-just-give-people-more-work-they-give-them-harder/)

[Liz Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-wiseman/)

> [But it is my total conviction that all the trappings of good leadership are generic and widely applicable whether you are standing in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-cosgrove/but-it-is-my-total-conviction-that-all-the-trappings-of-good/)

[Peter Cosgrove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-cosgrove/)

> [One of the things that good leaders do is choose good people to work for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-swan/one-of-the-things-that-good-leaders-do-is-choose-good-people-to-work/)

[Norman Swan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-swan/)

> [Good leadership is to know when to go, and you only succeed as a good leader if you've transported someone else in and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-fernandes/good-leadership-is-to-know-when-to-go-and-you-only-succeed-as-a-good/)

[Tony Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-fernandes/)

> [Good leaders must become what they want their followers to become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nido-r-qubein/good-leaders-must-become-what-they-want-their-followers-to-become/)

[Nido R Qubein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nido-r-qubein/)

> [Good leaders being scarce, following yourself is allowed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-hempel/good-leaders-being-scarce-following-yourself-is-allowed/)

[Amy Hempel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-hempel/)

## More by John C. Maxwell

> [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

[Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Most people don't like change. They revolt against it unless they can clearly see the advantage it brings. For that reason, when good leaders prepare to take action or make changes, they take people through a process to get them ready for it.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John C. Maxwell"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/most-people-don-t-like-change-they-revolt-against-it-unless-they-can/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/most-people-don-t-like-change-they-revolt-against-it-unless-they-can/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-c-maxwell-113_action_most-people-don-t-like-change-they-revol_1523343.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-c-maxwell-113_action_most-people-don-t-like-change-they-revol_1523343.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/john-c-maxwell-113_action_most-people-don-t-like-change-they-revol_1523343.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Most people don't like change. They revolt against it unless they can clearly see the advantage it brings…” — John C. Maxwell",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "John C. Maxwell",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Most people don't like change. They...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/most-people-don-t-like-change-they-revolt-against-it-unless-they-can/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/most-people-don-t-like-change-they-revolt-against-it-unless-they-can/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
