This is the crucial question to be asked by leaders of organizations as they prepare to undergo change, according to William Bridges. In this skillfully written guide to transitions, Bridges encourages leaders to stay in touch with what is happening to people as a result of change and to tend carefully the variety of needs that will emerge. Change is a promotion at work, the birth of a child, a move to a new home.
Transition is that process of letting go of some things in order to make room for other things.
So, for example, the promotion means letting go of the old peer group, the feeling of competence that came from doing familiar work, the freedom to leave work at the office. The baby means letting go of regular sleep, extra money, time with spouse, and spontaneity. If leaders ignore transitions, problems occur that can keep the change from achieving the desired results. Excitement and energy around the new things often mask hurts and losses. It cannot be rushed, and there is no way to escape.