The Art of Not Getting There: What Resistance Teaches Leaders
By Peter Hofmann
My participation in the Meditation Awareness course— was a deep dive into the practice of presence. Through silent meditation, walking and movement practices, Qigong, and group reflections, I explored not just the theory of meditation, but the lived experience of it: the frustrations, the resistances, and the unexpected insights that arise when we stop trying so hard to get somewhere.
One of the most profound lessons? Sometimes, the point is not the point. The real work happens in how we meet the resistance, the detours, and the moments when things don’t go as planned.
An Exercise in Acceptance: The Resistance Walk
Try this simple practice to experience the power of non-attachment in action.
1. Set Your Destination
Choose a simple goal for a short walk—perhaps to reach a specific tree, bench, or landmark within 5 minutes. Hold this intention lightly.
2. Introduce the Obstacle
Halfway through, pause. Now, deliberately change your path—take a detour, walk in a different direction, or simply stop moving for a moment. Notice what arises.
- Do you feel frustration? Impatience? The urge to “get back on track”?
- Observe your body: tension in the shoulders, a clenched jaw, a racing heart.
From the Course: This mirrors the meditation practice of noticing resistance—whether to discomfort in sitting, distractions in walking, or the mind’s insistence on “doing it right.” Just as we learned to deal with resistance and annoyance when not reaching desired results, here we practice meeting the same in movement.
Leadership Skill: Resilience Under Uncertainty – The ability to stay grounded when plans change, a critical competence for leaders navigating unpredictable environments.
3. Pause and Breathe
Instead of pushing forward, stop. Close your eyes if it feels safe. Take three deep breaths.
- Ask yourself: What am I resisting right now?
- Notice: Is the resistance about the detour—or about your attachment to the original plan?
From the Course: This is where the practice of non-attachment as a way to foster awareness becomes tangible. The course taught me that awareness grows not from forcing outcomes, but from sustaining moment-to-moment awarenessof what is.
Leadership Skill: Emotional Regulation – The capacity to recognize and manage your own reactions before responding, enabling clearer decision-making.
4. Continue with Kindness
Resume your walk—but this time, let go of the destination. Walk with a receptive, kind attitude and relaxed yet diligent effort, as we practiced in the course.
- Notice how your body feels when you release the need to “get there.”
- What do you see, hear, or sense that you might have missed before?
From the Course: Whether in sitting meditation, Qigong, or movement practices, we learned to cultivate a relaxed yet diligent effort—not pushing, not giving up, but simply being present.
Leadership Skill: Presence Over Productivity – The ability to lead from a place of awareness rather than constant striving, fostering a culture of mindfulness in your team.
5. Reflect on the Journey
At the end of your walk, take a moment to reflect:
- What did you learn from the detour?
- How might this practice change the way you approach setbacks at work?
- What becomes possible when you stop fighting resistance and start meeting it with curiosity?
From the Course: The insights shared in our group reflections often revealed that wisdom and compassion arise from open awareness—not from achieving a perfect meditation, but from how we meet the imperfections.
Leadership Skill: Adaptive Thinking – The capacity to find value in the unexpected, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth.
Why This Matters for Leaders
In meditation, as in leadership, the resistance is not the enemy—it’s the teacher. The course showed me that whether in silent practice, walking, or Qigong, the deepest learning happens when we stop trying to control every outcome and instead practice acceptance of what is.
For leaders, this means:
- Meeting setbacks with curiosity (rather than frustration),
- Leading with presence (rather than constant urgency),
- Valuing the process (as much as the destination).
The next time you’re stuck on a project, a decision, or a challenge, try this: Pause. Breathe. Notice the resistance. And ask yourself—what if the point isn’t to get past it, but to learn from it?