Simon Breakspear

2024 Fotoworks WAPPA Conference 

Keynote – Rethinking Resistance

Simon Breakspear’s expertise in educational leadership and change management was evident throughout his presentation on “Rethinking Resistance,”, demonstrating why he is a firm WAPPA conference favourite. Breakspear began by addressing the challenge of bridging the gap between current behaviours of the adults we work with or lead, and those needed to achieve desired educational outcomes. He emphasised that resistance to change is a natural human response, not limited to any particular group. Rather than viewing resistance negatively, Breakspear encouraged us to approach it with empathy, seeing the required changes through the eyes of those experiencing them.

At the core of Breakspear’s talk was a practical two-step method for supporting adult behaviour change: “Get Specific” and “Make Things Easier.” The first step emphasises the importance of precisely describing desired behaviours, moving beyond broad concepts to actionable specifics. This clarity, Breakspear argued, is crucial for effective implementation.

The second step, “Make Things Easier,” was broken down into three key areas: making it easier to do, see, and progress. Breakspear explained that reducing the effort required to implement new behaviours was crucial. He also highlighted the power of social proof and behavioural contagion in shifting norms and making new practices more visible within the school community.

One of the most interesting aspects of Breakspear’s talk was his emphasis on progress over motivation. He argued that motivation often follows small, meaningful progress rather than being a prerequisite for change. This insight led to his advice on designing “successful beginnings” – low-stakes, psychologically safe opportunities for staff to experience quick wins and build confidence in new practices.

Breakspear also touched on the “fresh start effect,” explaining how temporal landmarks like the start of a new year or term can be leveraged to kick-start change initiatives. He stressed the importance of enabling “resets” after lapses, acknowledging that change is rarely a linear process.

Throughout the presentation, Breakspear drew on behavioural science research to support his framework. He challenged traditional notions of “buy-in” and instead focused on making change easier and more accessible for staff. His approach aimed to create a movement rather than imposing a mandate, recognising the complex nature of adult learning and behaviour change in schools.

Breakspear’s presentation style is as enjoyable as his content. He has a remarkable ability to distil his ideas into practical strategies, keeping the audience engaged and inspired. His presentation provided a fresh perspective on managing resistance to change in educational settings by reframing resistance as a natural part of the change process and offering practical strategies to overcome it. His emphasis on specificity, ease of implementation, and the power of small wins offers a promising approach to fostering sustained changes in professional practices within our schools.