Small change: give it time

Change carries consequences. However kind, generous and gracious leaders seek to be, sometimes those consequences are bruising. Headcount reductions, leadership realignment, and departmental reorganisations can affect the trajectories of teams, careers — even lives.

At such times, the temptation to move on can be overwhelming for leaders. This is usually driven by an understandable desire to feel better: to do something — anything — to alleviate uncomfortable emotions.

In addition to being kind, generous and gracious, resisting such internal pressure is often the greatest act of service that a leader can perform.

Instead of jumping into action, give it time. Allow your people to process what’s happened, to ask questions, to have a right to reply. As with human beings, organisations can only heal that they can feel.

Something to consider: where will giving it time serve us best?

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