90 Seconds to be Inspired

I I led a workshop yesterday on Leading through Change, opening with this line from Alice in Wonderland:

Is anyone feeling like they just can’t quite keep up? So much change, so fast. Relentless. And yet, this aching feeling like we cannot take a break or a breath for fear of being left behind?

That line set the tone for the conversation and what emerged was a shared truth: leading through change isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about how you show up when you don’t.

That’s why this recent memo from Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke stood out to me. It’s a masterclass in communicating during change. He lays out tough decisions with clarity and conviction — not just what’s happening, but why it matters specifically to him and to their business.

There’s no fluff. No corporate speak. Just real talk — decisive, direct, and deeply human. He doesn’t sugarcoat the stakes, but he also doesn’t forget there are people on the receiving end of the message.

So here’s the invitation this week: think about how you’re showing up in moments of change. Are you defaulting to vague reassurances, or are you making space for honest, grounded leadership?

90 Seconds to Learn a Little

I find comfort in frameworks. They make the gray things, like navigating change, a bit more black & white. Here are a few I shared in this workshop that you can use with your teams.

• Kubler-Ross change curve. An oldie but a goodie. This depicts the emotions that connect with experiencing change over time.

• VUCA - (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) a military expression to reflect the reality of our times. This HBR article does a nice job of tying it back to leadership in business.

• ADKAR - not a character in my daughter’s latest graphic novel, but an acronym on how to plan for and lead through change. 

• And how to connect Kubler & ADKAR here! Soooo often we forget to build the awareness and desire BEFORE making a change. Start there, my friends.

If you are looking for a keynote speaker or workshop to support your teams through navigating change, I’m here to help!

90 Seconds to Connect

One person shared at the end of the workshop how powerful it was to have time for reflection during this workshop. Reflecting on your own journey with change as well as hearing from your peers, can be beneficial to solidify what you learned during challenging times. Here is a reflection prompt for you to do this week. And if you like it,  share it with your team. Yes, we have to run faster, but sometimes looking back with stillness and intention, will allow us to go faster again.

What was the most difficult change you experienced in your career?

How did that change affect you at the time?

You can use the Kubler-Ross Change Curve for support on identifying the feelings experienced.

I would love to hear your stories on change, and what clarity this reflection provides you! We will build connections through these reflections. And maybe, make this whole navigating through change thing a little less lonely.

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