Hello.
Last month, a number of people in my life said hello to new chapters: new jobs, new schools and new children.
What’s wonderful about a new start is the freshness of it. When I start with a new client, I get energized by fresh faces, fresh businesses to learn and fresh problems to solve.
Goodbye.
When we are moving to a “better” situation, we often struggle during the transition. It’s still hard work to change, even when you are really looking forward to it.
Often it means saying goodbye.
Goodbye to old colleagues or classmates.
Goodbye to your favorite coffee shop in your old neighborhood.
Goodbye to a predictable sleep schedule 🥱.
This makes change management leaders like me think of the Bridge’s model, which says you start with “unfreezing of old ways” and transition into “freezing of the new ways.”
With time and grit, most people get through the transition. Having the support and encouragement of friends and family reduces the stress you feel and helps you to keep things in perspective.
Sometimes people can’t move forward to better situations because they struggle with the “unfreezing.” They can lack the energy needed to leave their current bad situation and instead hang onto false hope it will change on its own.
Other times people get stuck in the middle, struggling to adjust to their new reality. Some fail to learn new skills or build new relationships. With situations like these, those attempting to move through a transition need support. ❤️
Consider who you know that is starting something new.
Make a plan to reach out to them and provide some encouragement and offer support. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, just an indication of your love and support for them. A reminder of your support can provide just the right boost of energy that they need to keep pushing forward.
Key Points
Change is emotional work — leaders need to honor the middle moments between beginnings and endings.
Teams move forward faster when leaders acknowledge what’s ending as clearly as what’s about to start.