The Emotional Side of Transition: Moving Through Change

This summer, I watched The Count of Monte Cristo, the French blockbuster based on Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel. It’s a gripping tale of betrayal and revenge, centred around Edmond Dantès, a man who, after 23 years of wrongful imprisonment, sets out to destroy those who stole his life. But as I watched, a rather unusual question crossed my mind: If I were in his shoes, how would I feel after all those years? Would I still carry the same hatred?

Perhaps not. After so much time, I believe I might have moved on. This led me to reflect on the nature of transition—not just the external changes we encounter in life, but the profound emotional journeys we undergo as we adapt. It also brought to mind a transition model that has helped guide me through various phases of my life.

Change vs. Transition

Let’s start by clarifying a crucial distinction between two terms that are often conflated: change and transition.

• Change refers to an external event or situation. In the corporate world, change could involve a new business strategy, leadership shifts, mergers, or the launch of a new product.
• Transition, however, is the internal, psychological process we go through as we adapt to change. It’s how we emotionally make sense of a change, which often includes feelings of loss, uncertainty, and, eventually, renewal.

You’ve likely heard the commonly cited statistic that 70% of change initiatives fail. Many experts argue that this failure stems from an emphasis on the external aspects of change, while the emotional and psychological impacts are overlooked.

This is where William Bridges’ Transition Model becomes invaluable. It focuses on helping individuals and organizations manage the human side of change by recognizing the emotional stages people experience. We all move through these stages at our own pace. Consider the classic example of someone who is still bitterly complaining about a divorce that happened 15 years ago—it’s a reminder that emotional transition takes time.

The Bridges model outlines three key phases of emotional transition:

1. Endings Transition starts with an ending. People must first acknowledge what they are losing and how to manage that loss.
2. The neutral zone

Next comes the in-between stage, where the old ways are gone, but the new hasn’t fully taken shape. This is often the most difficult phase, marked by uncertainty, nostalgia for the past, and anxiety about the future.

1. New beginning The final phase is a new beginning, where individuals start to embrace new roles, habits, and mindsets, feeling renewed energy and confidence.

When I was made redundant a few years ago, I experienced each of these phases first hand. Initially, I had to let go of my daily routine, like grabbing a coffee from my favourite café near the office. I felt then lost, wondering What could I have done differently? or What comes next? —a mix of confusion and vulnerability. But amid this uncertainty, new opportunities emerged, such as traveling to Africa to teach leadership for a charity. Eventually, I found a new job, along with a fresh sense of purpose—and, of course, a new favourite coffee spot.

Was the process as smooth and straightforward? Not at all. But understanding these phases helped me navigate the emotional turbulence of change.

Designing Learning with Emotion in Mind

Whether in our personal lives or in the corporate world, recognizing the emotional side of change is crucial. When designing learning programs, leading change initiatives, or shaping leadership strategies, it’s essential to consider the emotional journeys people will undergo. Whether the goal is to adopt new behaviours, shift mindsets, or master new skills, individuals will emerge from the process emotionally transformed.

By acknowledging and embracing the emotional side of transition, we can better support those around us through periods of change, helping ensure that these transitions become opportunities for growth and development.

Even Edmond Dantès, in The Count of Monte Cristo, found a new beginning after his long journey. As he wisely says, “All human wisdom is contained in these two words: Wait and Hope.”