Change

I knew we needed to change. What we were doing was simply not working. The problem was that I did not want to deal with the disruption that the change would cause. So I did nothing.

That’s when a wise friend reminded me that when you know something needs to be changed, you need to make adjustments quickly. She said that allowing the situation to continue would actually hurt the people you care about. She was right. Allowing ourselves to be driven by false hope only leads to foolishness.

I decided to implement the change. I will not sugarcoat it and tell you that it was easy. The change was hard, bumpy, and certainly not perfect. But it was the right thing to do.

The change impacted our direction, and ultimately, we achieved the results that we needed. It takes determination and courage to facilitate needed change in your life. My wise friend helped me remember what Albert Einstein once said: "Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over, and expecting different results."

Choose to take the hard path and make the needed change in your life. Do the hard thing, and you will make a difference.

Larry Little
Eagle Center for Leadership

When everything around them starts to shift, people look to their leaders. Change is now a constant part of the leadership landscape. Plans evolve, conditions shift, and certainty is often out of reach. In these moments, people watch how their leaders respond. Are you steady? Clear? Open to new possibilities? The way you show up during change directly affects how others engage with it.

Leaders who navigate change well aren’t just reacting to circumstances. They are observing, reflecting, and choosing how to lead in real time. They respond to resistance with curiosity instead of frustration. They stay grounded when answers are unclear. They recognize that setbacks are part of progress, not signs of failure.

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”

— John C. Maxwell

This next module in The Areté Way focuses on how to lead yourself and others through change with clarity and adaptability. Across four sessions, you will explore mindset, uncertainty, resistance, and resilience, and build practical strategies to lead with focus and intention—no matter what changes around you.

Change Skills Self-Assessment

Below, you will encounter a series of statements related to leading through change. Please rate your agreement with each statement using the following Likert scale:

1 - Strongly Disagree: I struggle significantly with this aspect of change.
2 - Disagree: I have some difficulty with this aspect of change.
3 - Neutral: I am neither particularly skilled nor unskilled in this aspect of change.
4 - Agree: I am proficient and generally successful in this aspect of change.
5 - Strongly Agree: I excel at this aspect of change.

1. I stay steady and focused when plans or conditions suddenly shift.

2. I model adaptability for my team during uncertain or high-pressure situations.

3. I encourage experimentation and learning when new approaches are needed.

4. I respond to team resistance with empathy and curiosity, not defensiveness.

5. I maintain clear and consistent communication during periods of change.

6. I help my team understand the purpose behind changes in direction or strategy.

7. I actively reflect on past challenges to improve future decision-making.

8. I make space for others to share concerns, ideas, and feedback during transitions.

9. I support my team in staying productive and focused during periods of uncertainty.

10. I treat change as an opportunity for growth, not just disruption to be managed.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

Your Areté Email Address

Change Skills Self-Assessment

Creativity

Navigating with a Change Mindset

Eagle Center for Leadership