Hi, Tristan - interesting post.

In general, I agree with your well-thought out observations about change and resistance.

I would add that people are not as resistant to change as we tend to think.  They are instead resistant to change which is imposed on them.    Especially, as you point out, change which comes from someone they do not trust.

However, people change and do so happily and enthusiastically when they WANT TO.  I do not believe this aspect is as simple as the "WIIFM" saying, but motivated and engaged people are much less resistant and will even insist on the change.  See "Tunisia" for an example.

I believe that one of our leadership challenges is to identify and communicate why people should change.  Your first point speaks to this, but I am thinking a bit more directly about how to get a person to see a "payoff" down the road to change.

After all, I learned to drive because I wanted the freedom and perceived "cool" factor.  I was motivated and happy about changing from being a dependent (and rebellious) youth to an independent young man (okay, Dad still paid for the first car, the insurance, and most of the gas, but you get my point hopefully:).

Enjoyed your post.

John