Embracing Change, Transitions, and New Beginnings

Over the course of my career, I’ve lived in the exhilarating rush of leadership: climbing ladders, achieving goals, and thriving in roles that challenged me to become more. Yet, within this momentum, I’ve also learned to listen to the quieter callings of change—the whispers of something more fulfilling, the curiosity to redefine success, and the courage to leap into the unknown. This manifesto reflects that journey: my sabbaticals, career breaks, and now, my voluntary decision to join the Great Resignation to shape a profoundly intentional second half of life.

For successful women in leadership, embracing change isn’t a detour; it’s a masterstroke in the art of living. Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Change Is the Catalyst for Growth

In leadership, we’re taught to plan, execute, and measure outcomes. But life has a way of challenging even the best-laid plans. Over time, I’ve realized that transitions—whether chosen or imposed—are not disruptions but opportunities to grow beyond the boundaries of our current selves.

Taking a sabbatical years ago felt indulgent at first, but it became a profound period of reflection. It reminded me that stepping away doesn’t mean stepping back. On the contrary, it allowed me to return to work with clarity and vision. Every step away from the familiar has been an invitation to grow.

2. Resilience Is Built in the In-Between Spaces

Breaks and career transitions are not linear journeys. They are messy, introspective, and transformative. I’ve learned to embrace the in-between spaces, the moments when identity feels fluid, and the future is uncertain.

During my career break, I wrestled with doubts: Am I wasting time? Will this gap hurt my career? The answers only came with time and patience. Those doubts became the seeds of resilience, and I returned with a deeper understanding of who I am beyond my titles and accolades.

3. Redefining Success Is an Act of Courage

Success is often defined externally: the promotions, the paychecks, the accolades. But over time, I came to see that true success is deeply personal. It’s about alignment—living a life that reflects your values, passions, and priorities.

Choosing to leave a well-paid role wasn’t easy. It meant walking away from financial security, prestige, and a clear path forward. But it also meant saying yes to authenticity, creativity, and a vision of success that resonates with who I am today.

For any woman in leadership, redefining success is not a betrayal of ambition; it’s the highest form of self-leadership.

4. Transitions Are a Leadership Practice

Leading through change is a fundamental skill in the professional world. But what about leading yourself through change? My transitions taught me to apply the same principles of strategy, adaptability, and vision that I used in leadership roles to my personal life.

• Assess: What is no longer serving me?

• Vision: What does my next chapter look like?

• Execute: What steps can I take, even if they are small and imperfect?

This process isn’t just professional—it’s deeply personal. By approaching transitions with intentionality, I’ve learned to lead myself into the unknown with confidence.

5. New Beginnings Are the Ultimate Act of Creation

Starting over isn’t starting from scratch; it’s starting from experience. Every choice, every role, and every setback has prepared me for this moment. Now, I see the second half of my life not as a departure but as a creation—a chance to live fully, boldly, and intentionally.

As women leaders, we often feel the weight of expectations. We are taught to achieve, to endure, to excel. But what if the most profound success lies in beginning again?

• New beginnings are about vision: What do I want to build?

• New beginnings are about permission: What am I finally ready to embrace?

• New beginnings are about legacy: How do I want to be remembered?

A Final Declaration for Women Leaders

To every woman in leadership contemplating change, I say this:

• Embrace change as your ally. Growth and greatness rarely come from comfort zones.

• Celebrate transitions as part of your story. They are the moments that shape who you are.

• Honor new beginnings as acts of creation. They are your opportunity to lead your most authentic life.

This journey is not without fear, but it is full of possibility. Trust that your experiences have prepared you, that your intuition will guide you, and that your courage will sustain you. The second half of life is not a conclusion—it’s a masterpiece in progress.

Want More? Inspired by this manifesto, is a tool a tool you can use that combines wit, practicality, and wisdom. The Life Redesign Map is a framework that walks you through four steps: Reflect, Envision, Experiment, and Commit.