Summary
Change isn’t only about plans and timelines. It’s even more about direction. This article shares a practical preparing for change reflection that helps you reset your internal compass before you move. It’s designed for working parents and leaders in the energy sector who want clarity without the fluff.
Webinar invite: Join me on 27 November for a free 30‑minute session — Where Are You Now? Resetting Your Compass for Change. Save your seat here!
Why “preparing” matters more than “pushing”
Most change advice focuses on action: make the plan, set the milestone, communicate the why. Helpful, but incomplete. If your inner compass is misaligned, speed just takes you further in the wrong direction. Preparation isn’t delay; it’s direction-setting.
When I coach ambitious parents and leaders, I see two default responses to change:
- Resistance: We brace, over-control, and burn energy staying put.
- Direction: We pause, get honest about what’s true now, and then choose a path that aligns with values and constraints.
The difference is subtle and powerful. Resistance asks, “How do I keep things the same?” Direction asks, “Where am I actually headed, and what would be a good next step from here?”
The Compass Model
Think of your compass as four points you can scan before you move:
- North – Values: What matters non‑negotiably right now?
- East – Energy: What gives/steals energy in your current setup?
- South – Realities: What constraints, risks, and resources are real?
- West – Direction: Given 1–3, what’s the next meaningful step?
This quick scan turns change from something happening to you into something you can navigate with intention.
A simple preparing for change reflection (10–15 minutes)
You can do this solo, with a partner, or with your team. Set a timer for 3 minutes per quadrant and write without editing.
1) North — Values
- What do I want this change to protect or enable?
- If I do this well, how will work and family life feel three months from now?
- Which value needs the microphone this week (e.g., learning, presence, impact, health)?
2) East — Energy
- Where am I spending energy that doesn’t move me forward?
- What restores me quickly (10–20 minutes, realistic)?
- One small boundary I’ll hold this week is…
3) South — Realities
- What’s actually on the table (deadlines, travel, childcare, budget)?
- Which assumption needs checking with a conversation?
- What support is available that I haven’t used yet?
4) West — Direction
- Given what I’ve written: what’s the single next step?
- What will I say no to, to make it doable?
- What would “good enough” look like by Friday?
Tip: Read your notes aloud. If something feels off in your body, it probably is. Adjust until your decision feels both honest and doable.
For leaders: hold direction, not denial
If you lead people through change, your job isn’t to fix complexity. It’s to create clarity and conditions where people can move. Try these prompts in your next 1:1:
- “What’s changed for you since we started this?”
- “What support would make the biggest difference this month?”
- “Where do we need to adjust expectations together?”
This turns resistance into direction without treating flexibility as optional. It also improves retention because people feel seen and set up to succeed.
Two short scenarios
Scenario A -> New role, same workload:
You’ve stepped into a bigger mandate without dropping anything. Your compass shows Values: growth, Energy: thin on evenings, Realities: key launch in 4 weeks. Direction might be: renegotiate two deliverables and schedule one protected thinking block per day. Small but real.
Scenario B -> Return to work after parental leave:
You want to contribute at a high level and protect time with your child. Your compass shows Values: presence & impact, Energy: mornings strong, Realities: daycare pickups. Direction might be: take a bold morning project, block 16:00–18:30, and agree a clear metric of success with your manager.
Common objections (and honest responses)
“I don’t have time to reflect.”
You don’t have time to waste moving in the wrong direction. Fifteen minutes can save weeks of rework.
“Coaching feels soft.”
Coaching is a structured, professional method for improving clarity, performance, and decision quality. In my practice, we translate insight into concrete next steps and measurable outcomes.
“My situation is too complex.”
That’s exactly when a compass helps. It reduces complexity into values, energy, realities, and direction — enough to act.
Try it this week (downloadable worksheet)
I’ve turned the preparing for change reflection into a one‑page worksheet you can print or use digitally. Use it Monday morning or before a key decision.
→ Download here
Join me on 27 November —> free webinar
Where Are You Now? Resetting Your Compass for Change
We’ll walk through the model live, test it on your real context, and leave with one clear next step.
→ Reserve your spot here
If you want support
- 1:1 Coaching: For ambitious working parents and leaders who want clarity and sustainable momentum. Schedule a discovery call here
- The Core Load Collective: A community for reflection, real tools, and peer support. Free to join here.
Key takeaways
- Don’t confuse speed with progress. Direction first.
- A 10–15 minute compass scan exposes what matters, what’s real, and what’s next.
- Leaders can turn resistance into direction by asking better questions and adjusting expectations.
FAQ
How often should I do this reflection?
Weekly during high‑change periods; monthly otherwise.
Can I use it with my team?
Yes. Try a 20‑minute stand‑up: 3 minutes per quadrant per person, then share one next step each.
What if I discover competing values?
Name the tension, choose a priority for this week, and revisit. Direction evolves — your compass helps you evolve with it.