Leader Quote by Martin Linsky
““When exercising leadership, you risk getting marginalized, diverted, attacked, or seduced. Regardless of the form, however, the point is the same. When people resist adaptive work, their goal is to shut down those who exercise leadership in order to preserve what they have.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Leadership Challenge” by Martin Linsky & Ronald Heifetz, 2002
Leadership invites resistance because it threatens existing power structures, prompting marginalization or attack
In simple terms: Leaders often face pushback from those protecting the status quo
Key Takeaway
Navigate resistance with strategic empathy
Themes
power
resistance
adaptation
Mood
serious
analytical
Type
strategic
reflective
When to use this quote
- organizational change
- policy reform
- social movements
- team management
Key Concepts
Systems thinking
political dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What strategies help you stay resilient when challenged?
- How can you turn opposition into collaborative dialogue?
A Different Perspective
Resistance can stall progress and cause burnout
