Phillips Friday Focus
March 9, 2018
Change vs. Transition
I have held on to this article about change for a few months now. Today is the day to share it. The struggle is in the transition. Remember the change will be great for our students, we just have to get through this transition.
The word change often brings a negative connotation with it.
Leaders and consultants often talk about having to manage change. Many talk about the changing dynamic that millennials are bringing to the workforce. Empty nesters talk about the change associated with their children going off to college. And wherever I speak, people talk about the changes happening in their company, school, industry, and society.
It appears that people don't like change and are afraid of it.
But in the words of my friend Brian Buffini, "People actually like change. They just don't like transition."
We often like what change eventually produces. We just don't like having to go through it.
I hated all the construction that made my drive to the airport a challenge but now I love the ramp and bypass that makes my drive a breeze.
I was terrified when I lost my job years ago and hated going through that transition but now I'm so thankful it led me to become a writer and speaker.
I don't like the first few days of writing a book (I feel like I'm birthing something) but I love it when it's finished.
The transition from who we are to who we are meant to be is often challenging and fearful but it's part of the process to produce the change we are meant to ultimately experience and enjoy.
The same is true for transitions and change in organizations and society.
Call me idealistic but research shows that those who believe in a brighter and better future are the ones who take action to create it.
So whether you are going through a transition in your life, in your marriage, at work or in your organization I want you to see the difference between transition and change.
Don't let fear amidst the uncertainty affect you from driving positive change for you and your team.
Stay positive through the transition so you can benefit from the change.
Trust that no matter how much you dislike the transition you are going through that it will lead to positive change and great things in your future.
Jon Gordon
Staff Shout Outs!
-Odom, Congleton, Mitchell, McDonald, Acevedo, Ramirez, Estes, and Sarah Jones for administering the big oral admin groups for their team
-Team Evergreen and Team Happy Hikers for getting their Leadership Book display up
What's Ahead...
March 19th week- Data Digs on Benchmarks during department meetings
March 20-5:30-7:30 Latino Family Literacy Project
March 21-4th grade GT day, 4:00-All Staff STAAR training after school
March 22- Team Blackbear Field Trip, 4th grade Intervention Tracking meetings during conference times
March 23- 3rd grade GT day, 3rd grade Intervention Tracking meetings during conference times
March 27-5:30-7:30 Latino Family Literacy Project
March 28- Positive Behavior Bashes, 3:45 STAAR oral admin training
March 29- Team Adventure Field Trip
March 30- Holiday