Thriving
in Transition.
We go
through transitions all the time. Theorist Nancy Schlossberg defines a
transition as any life event (or non-event!) that makes a significant impact on
your lives. Such events can include starting a new job, a new relationship, a
divorce, or a switch in career paths. A “non-event” is something we anticipated
but that did not occur like a promotion, acceptance into graduate school, etc.
that we were sure was going to happen but did not. In order to successfully
navigate a life transition,
Schlossberg encourages us to be aware of the STAGES
of a Transition. These three stages are:
- Moving In - you become aware of the change or transition or you set events in motion to make it happen.
- Moving Through – this is the time that you are in the midst of the transition, experiencing it first-hand
- Moving Out – you begin to emerge from the change or transition.
- Moving Beyond – this is a stage I have added to this process in that once we successfully navigate a transition, we start to thrive with the new knowledge or opportunities it provided.
So I you
or your organization is going through a transition, the likelihood of making it
a successful one is dependent on the following factors:
- Self (or team) – what emotional, intellectual, or physical resources do you or your team have to successfully emerge from a transition? Take stock of them. It will help you realize you are more resourced than you though!
- Support – what support systems are in place to help you navigate a difficult or at least turbulent time? Draw upon those people and things that will help you.
- Situation – what is the real situation that you face? Did you initiate this transition or was it forced upon you? What parts of the situation can you control or alter in your favor?
- Strategies – what are the change strategies? Do you have a plan as to how you and/or your organization will navigate a transition?
The
bottom line is this. Change is inevitable and leaders have to be skilled in
negotiating transitions both personally and organizational. You can either go
through the change or grow through the change! How you PERCEIVE the change or transition
will be the most important factor in success or defeat. I once heard someone
say we are living in a state of “permanent whitewater”. I believe this is true
and those that can navigate the rocks and eddies of change the best will be the most
successful!
As always, if I can help you
Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD, I would love to hear from you. Also, as
a bonus, if you go to my Out Loud Strategies website (www.outloudinc.com) and enter your contact
information, I will send you a FREE guide to establishing a mentoring
initiative program in your organization! Such an initiative would be critical
in order to add value to your organization!
Yours
in Leadership,
Bill
Faulkner
Co-Founder
– Out Loud Strategies
Independent
Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team TM
Email = bill@outloudinc.com
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