Leadership by Cornerstone
Sept 2024
​
Greetings Reader,
I’m thrilled to have you here as we kick off this journey together. Leadership by Cornerstone is designed to be your monthly guide for navigating the challenges and opportunities of leadership and career development. My mission at Cornerstone is to elevate your leadership presence, refine your communication skills, and create meaningful, sustainable career change.
​
This month, I'm discussing the topic of career transition as I recently wrote a blog titled, ​Making the Most of Career Transitions​ based on a client experience.
Navigating a career transition can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences in a professional journey. Whether you're stepping into a new role, shifting industries, or advancing into leadership, the process involves a unique set of opportunities and obstacles.
I wrote my blog based on the work of William Bridges' book ​Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change​. In his book, Bridges covers The Three Phases of Transition which is tremendously relevant to those in career transition not just organizational change.
Typically people view a career transition as a beginning - whether a new role or new business; however, Bridges brings a different perspective in which he believes the process begins with an ending and ends with a beginning (yes, you read that right).
​
Bridges' 3 Phases of Transition framework emphasizes the internal, psychological journey people go through during change. Here's an overview:
Ending, Losing, Letting Go. The ending phase is about helping the person do what they have to do to say good-bye to the past and let go. They have to give proper respect to the past and to their achievements to date, accept and acknowledge the many difficult emotions they will feel, and define what they are really leaving behind and what they aren't.
The Neutral Zone. Once the person lets go, they enter the Neutral Zone, a period that seems suspended between what is and what will be. The phase is a vulnerable time and feels a lot like the journey through the desert that Moses and the Jews made in Exodus. Forward movement seems to have stopped and the person can't see the end point. If they are not careful, they can fall back into old habits and patterns and wallow in self-pity. At the same time, this period can be extremely creative. The person can uncover new possibilities and move ahead.
New Beginnings. The individual emerges into the final phase almost a new person. They shed their old identity and take on a new identity and behaviors. They see new opportunities and possibilities for themselves, have new attitudes, and take on new actions.
As the person reflects on the phases of transition, remember that each stage offers its own opportunities for growth and renewal. Whether they're in the process of letting go, navigating the uncertainty of the neutral zone, or stepping into a new beginning, I encourage them to take time for themselves and embrace the journey.
​
So what happened to my client? I shared Bridges' Three Phases with her, and she came to our next session less anxious and more secure. Her takeaway was, "I feel so much better knowing that there's a name for this process and that I'm not alone. I even shared this with my therapist."
​
Guidance Through Uncertainty
Career transitions can be overwhelming, and a clear, structured plan helps a person navigate the uncertainty, giving them confidence and direction. If you are in this position, please accept this Instant Career Plan. Let me know how it works out!
A career transition will test and reveal a person's character, perhaps like no other challenge they have faced. Here are two questions for a person to ask themself during a transition:
- How are you going to adapt to this transition?
- How will you take control of this transition and really do something special in the next phase of your career and life?
If you found this edition insightful and inspiring, please share with your network!
Stay tuned for more practical tips and stories in our next issue, where we will continue to explore strategies to help you lead with confidence and navigate change with ease.
​
Thank you for being a part of the Cornerstone community!
Until next time,
​www.cornerstonehumancapital.com​
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​
​
​