Breakthrough executive! life!
transition coaching
Marilyn O'Hearne, M.S.W.
__________
Master Certified Coach, International Coach
Federation
|
Breakthrough executive! life!
transition coaching |
|
|
MARILYN O'HEARNE: Don't let transitions scare you By MARILYN O'HEARNE - Columnist Being in transition is like being in the middle of a river crossing. You are not on solid ground and may feel the boat rocking. Entrepreneurs and people who grew up "on the water," in a state of flux, experience this as normal. Many do not. Understanding transitions can help you maintain your balance when you feel the boat rock. When you hear the word "transition," what do you think of? Chances are you remember a transition, recognize one or more present in your life now or are expecting one in the near future. Transitions have been, and always will be, a part of our lives. Transitions are a natural part of life. Going from staying home with children to re-entering the work force is a transition. Other transitions may not be so planned, such as losing a job through downsizing or a merger. Many of my coaching clients want to embark on a career transition. What we start with is making sure they have enough support and energy to make the journey. What I hear from them once they have landed on the other shore is that the lifestyle changes they made continue to be one of the biggest benefits of their transition. What do you experience during transition? A sense of loss for what has been. Back to the "river crossing" metaphor, looking at the shore you have left, you remember what it was like, maybe with fondness, regret, sadness, anger, relief or guilt. You gaze at the other side, and may not be sure yet of what it will be like, leaving you feeling excited or anxious. The essence of going through a transition is that sense of being in the middle of the river, and can result in your feeling confused, drained, unable to concentrate, preoccupied, isolated, and having difficulty sleeping and eating. In fact, some of these symptoms are the same as those of someone who is clinically depressed. This doesn't mean you are going crazy. Organizations find their employees missing more work, or less effective on the job. They find increased miscommunication, staff overload and turnover, disorganization and conflict. Employees may also show signs of self-doubt, resentment and self-protection, according to William Bridges in his book, Managing Transitions. We know from systems theory that systems resist change, even changes that are seen as positive. Moses leading the Israelites out of years of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land gives us a classic example. Not too far out of Egypt, the people complained about the journey, missing the predictable meals and safety they had before they left for the wilderness. Do you see transition as negative and transformation as positive? The "in-betweenness" of transition makes us uncomfortable and opens the door for dramatic shifts and giant steps forward. The good news is that while you are experiencing a transition, you are most capable of changing in a significant way. The same is true of your organization. Clearly, how you or your organization manages a transition will make a difference.
Marilyn O'Hearne is an executive and life coach with over 25 years of experience
facilitating growth and development. She can be reached by e-mail at marilyn@MarilynOH.com
or on the Web at www.MarilynOH.com. Marilyn O'Hearne, MSW
|
