And Speaking Of... Change

When I worked for Park West Gallery in my twenties, my boss often started our meetings by asking, "What is the one constant thing in life, Vanessa?"

And I would respond, "Change, Jack. Change."

The amount of change I had to navigate in that role was staggering. Supporting the art program on cruise ships was unpredictable, demanding agility and the ability to course-correct at a moment's notice. This skill has greatly served me in my professional career, as change became my natural state for most of the seven years I worked with Jack.

How do you navigate change? Do you make quick decisions and process information at lightning speed? Or do you need time to consider, analyze, and process before making a decision? Some situations require quick decisions, while others call for more time and information to feel informed and confident. One constant is that change is dynamic—no two situations are the same.

Another truth is that as you grow as a leader, you also need to consider how those on your team process change and disruption. Leadership expert Simon Sinek says, "Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge." I love this lesson because I often focus on my perspective and how I process new information. Being a fast processor, I sometimes forget that those around me may need more time or information to process and adapt to change. As leaders, we balance meeting our team members where they are while encouraging them to embrace discomfort and stretching their change-management skills to grow.

Change management is both a practical and emotional journey. The more you honor both sides of this truth, the better you can rise above potentially turbulent situations and make decisions that align with your values and goals. Change is also a mindset. If you tell yourself, "Change is never easy," then it likely won't be. What stories are you telling yourself about how you process change, and are they serving you or holding you back? What if, instead of saying "change is never easy," you said:

"Change can be seamless."

"Change often comes naturally."

"Change can bring ease and opportunity."

"Change can be simple and straightforward."

"Embracing change can be effortless."

"Change can be smooth and welcoming."

"Adapting to change can be surprisingly easy."

"Change can unfold with ease."

As one of my favorite authors and leaders, Yvonne Oswald, teaches: "Every word has power." What words are you telling yourself about change? Be honest. Do a personal inventory and exploration because how you do anything is how you do everything.

The ability to navigate and process change is core to our mental resilience. I see many young people freeze or retreat when faced with change. How are we teaching those in our personal and professional lives to handle the one constant thing in life? Are we swimming upstream, fighting the current at every turn? Or are we letting go of the oars and allowing the tide to take us to new destinations and opportunities?

Change is inevitable. We either fight it or flow with it. Even when change is unwanted, we can advocate for ourselves without completely resisting the process. Resistance breeds feelings like anger, frustration, and resentment, which can manifest physically and harm us long after the change has passed. I've seen this with people who went through unwanted divorces, and I felt it myself after losing a job I loved due to a misaligned boss. I held onto resentment for years, feeling it as a knot in my gut and chest. Our bodies are powerful indicators of how we process change, so never underestimate the importance of both the practical and emotional journey, especially with unwanted changes.

I hope this article sparks a moment of solitude and reflection. I'll end with a few inspiring quotes to ponder. Please share your thoughts on navigating change below—I appreciate your engagement!

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow." – Lao Tzu

"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." – Albert Einstein

"The only constant in life is change." – Heraclitus

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." – John F. Kennedy