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Constructively addressing reactance and resistance

Understanding rejection, enabling participation, facilitating change.

Ready for communication that really works?

Get psychological expertise for credible, strategically effective sustainability communication.

Why this offer?

Sustainability doesn't just elicit approval—it also provokes resistance. Sometimes loud, sometimes quiet: "Not another project", "It won't work anyway", "It'll just be scrapped again."

This form of reactance is human – but it can be paralyzing if it is not recognized and understood psychologically.

We support teams and organizations in breaking down taboos surrounding defense mechanisms, interpreting them empathetically, and transforming them into constructive energy. Because genuine participation arises where reactance is taken seriously – not where it is ignored.
 

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Target groups

  • Local authorities with participatory processes
  • Companies with sustainability strategies
  • NGOs and political organizations
  • Educational institutions with a mission to transform
  • Managers who want to work with "resistance" – not against it

Possible formats

✅ Reactance training for teams or managers

✅ Workshops for analyzing and working through psychological barriers

✅ Leadership coaching for dealing with resistance

✅ Process support for participation or change processes

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Frequently asked questions

  • Why does sustainability meet with resistance—even among committed individuals?
  • How can we interpret psychological defense mechanisms with empathy?
  • How does psychological security arise in transformation processes?
  • How can we create spaces where criticism and change are possible together?
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Contents (selection)

  • Understanding reactance: What happens psychologically when resistance arises?
  • Dealing empathetically with negative reactions
  • Building psychological safety within the team
  • Self-reflection: Where does your own reactance come from?
  • Tools for dialogue and tolerance of ambiguity
  • Recognizing and expanding scope for action

Goals

After this course...

  • reactance as a normal response to change
  • they will not only be able to tolerate resistance, but also transform it
  • they will learn strategies for participation and psychological safety
  • they will feel more confident in dealing with internal and external resistance

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Sounds like exactly what you're looking for?

Let's find out how ClimateMind can support you in a non-binding initial consultation – scientifically sound, practical, and transformative.

Psychological background

This offer is based on findings from:

  • Social psychology
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Emotional psychology
  • Climate psychology

Topics:

  • Reactance research
  • Psychological defense mechanisms
  • Ambiguity tolerance
  • Safe spaces for change and participation

Key Facts

📍 Format: Online or in person

⏱  Duration: 2 hours to several days

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Participants: 6–30 people

🧠 Expertise: Psychologists with ClimateMind Train-the-Trainer certification

💬 Language: German or English

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Erfahren Sie, wie Reaktanz, Frust oder Zynismus entstehen – und wie Sie durch psychologisch kluge Kommunikation neue Offenheit schaffen. 📄 Jetzt herunterladen und souverän mit Widerstand umgehen.

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