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Lights, Camera, HR Take Action!
Arkansas SHRM 2025 HR Conference & Expo • October 8-10 • Rogers, Arkansas

Conference Presented By:
Mobile site sponsored by: Thank you to BCBS for sponsoring HR2025

Program Details

Embracing Resistance to Change: Guiding Change Through the Paradox of Resistance

Participants can explore the utility and practical applications of a new OD tool - the Change Resistance Paradox Model. The model is designed to work seamlessly with other time-tested models such as Kotter, Lewin and Weisbord. The model shows how to leverage positive resistance and proactively avoids or jettisons unhealthy resistance. Participants will collaborate to explore how the model might aid in their own HR roles, and OD and change facilitation efforts.

Key Objectives

1. Analyze ways to leverage resistance to change in your organization. 2. Design strategies for applying the Change Resistance Paradox Model to a real change effort in your organization. 3. Assess the potential impact of facilitating change from an inclusive, authentic, and positive appreciative approach.

Jim Maddox

Teaching Associate Professor at University of Arkansas

I am a Change Strategist and Teaching Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas. I am passionate about helping individuals and organizations experience life to the fullest, and engaging in positive, transformational change. I have a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a Ph.D. in Community and Human Resources from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I am a Certified Management Trainer with Zenger-Miller/Achieve Global and a Registered Organization Development Consultant (RODC). My current research focus centers on facilitating transformational change in developing communities and organizations and exploring the construct of resistance to change. I have received several awards recognizing the quality of my teaching, including the Outstanding Teaching Award, Counseling, Leadership, Research Methods department, University of Arkansas, 2024. The Teaching Faculty Support Center Faculty Commendation for Teaching Development. 2024, and the Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Education & Health Professions, University of Arkansas, 2022. Over the past 30 years, I have served as an Organization Development consultant for a variety of clients. Clients have represented large aerospace companies, large multinational energy companies, city and county government, as well as multiple non-profit and for-profit companies. My consulting has focused on providing organization development consulting, facilitation, coaching, strategic planning, leadership development, and guiding organizational change efforts. Since 2021, I have hosted my own podcast, Chatting About Change with Dr. Jim Maddox and have over 70 episodes with over 10,000 downloads. In addition, prior to becoming a university professor, I worked in a professional Human Resource role for seven years for the human resource department at the University of Nebraska.

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Date: Wed, October 08, 2025 | 8:15-9:15 am| Add to Calendar

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Location: Ambassador D

Category: Business Mgt & Strategy


Please Note: Speakers and topics are subject to change without notice.

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