Transition 2

Transitions: Making the Most of Life’s Changes By William Bridges CHANGE: An event that’s situational External TRANSITION: Gradual, psychological reorientation process Internal THREE PHASES OF TRANSITION: 1. Endings Disengage from old ways of doing things Let go of who we were in that situation 2. Neutral Zone Confusing in-between state Not who and what we were Not yet who and where we are going 3. New Beginnings Familiar with and accept new reality change brings Managing Transition: You have to end before you begin. Between the ending and the new beginning, there is a hiatus. The Neutral Zone can be creative. Transition is a source of renewal. People go through transition at different speeds. Transition cannot be hurried. Take things step-by-step and resist the illusion that everything’s going to be exciting, easy and meaningful.
	CUSP MODEL
	C– find things that help you feel in control.
	U – understand the transition process, the reason for the changes and why you feel what you feel.
	S – have good support systems – friends, family, or professional counseling if necessary.
	P – develop a clear sense of purpose.

Tips for Thriving Through Transition
by Ingrid Bredenberg

1. Know Yourself. Understand your behavior, preferences, communication style…and how they affect others. Use feedback, assessment and coaching to develop your emotional intelligence, flexibility and resourcefulness in responding to change.

2. Be Strategic. Use the CUSP model* to successfully navigate transition:

3. Understand your environment. Economic, political and social trends; competitive forces; family, staff, customer and strategic relationships affect you and your business. Use data – market research, focus groups, business metrics – as well as informal info gathered through conversations, inquiry and gossip.

4. Understand others’ needs for coping with Change. Everyone has their own strategies and pace. Identify and capitalize on people’s different strengths, perspectives and approaches.

5. Tell the truth…even if it is not good news. People can deal with change better when they know that they are well-informed. Cultivate courageous conversations.

6. Use the Neutral Zone to explore new ways of doing things, promote innovation, develop new interests and skills, turn things upside down or backward.

7. Redefine and capitalize on “mistakes.” Consider them just another way of doing things. Make it safe for yourself and others to admit them and share what you’ve learned in the process. Let others learn from your mistakes. Like a good film director, encourage others (and yourself) to “take two, take three…” until you get the result you want.

8. Use stories to create a compelling vision of the future. Metaphors and stories can create a common language for creating strategies and solving problems.

9. Capitalize on people’s creativity and knowledge by inviting them to set goals and solve problems. People will often set higher goals and be committed to achieving them when they have a voice and a choice in setting them.

10. Use rituals for celebrating endings and milestones. From formal appreciation ceremonies to impromptu pizza parties…recognizing the stages of transition helps people release the past, deal with the present and prepare for the future in ways that energize and engage them.

*from Transitions: Making the Most of Life’s Changes by William Bridges