Change is the only constant. We know this in our bones, and yet—how tightly we hang on to what we know. To comfort. To stability. To routine. At work, in life, and in leadership, this is one of the great paradoxes: even though we understand—psychologically, intellectually, spiritually—that we’re either adapting or receding, we still fight the tide. We cling to the familiar. But here’s the truth: there is no middle ground. You’re either evolving or fading. Growing or dying. Moving or stuck.
When we’re young, change feels like a natural state. There’s curiosity, ambition, drive. But life gets louder over time. Responsibilities pile up. Expectations harden. What once felt like play becomes pressure. And somewhere along the way, many people burn out. They lose the plot. Curiosity dims. Growth takes a back seat to survival. And change starts to feel more like a threat than a possibility.
As leaders, we don’t get to ignore that. In fact, we’re called to carry it. To hold space for it. To navigate it for ourselves and for others. And more than that, to bring our people with us—even when they don’t want to go.
That’s the work. That’s the responsibility.
Leadership, at its best, is about taking the long view on your relationships. It’s about love—yes, love—in its most resilient, selfless form. Not the kind that offers comfort in every moment, but the kind that sees further ahead than most and dares to protect what’s possible.
When I led, my job wasn’t to win popularity contests. It wasn’t to shield people from discomfort. My job was to care for our future. To ensure our relevance, to stretch our capabilities, and to give us the greatest possible chance at long-term success. That meant seeing around corners. That meant holding the tension between empathy and accountability. And that meant asking people to do hard things in service of something bigger than themselves.
The challenge today is that many organizations have turned into emotional proving grounds—trying to out-love, out-care, and out-nurture one another in a race to win hearts instead of build futures. We’ve confused comfort with compassion. We’ve replaced resilience with recognition. And somewhere in that shift, we’ve lost sight of what it really means to lead: to take responsibility for the whole, not just the moment.
We have to put that behind us.
Because change isn’t going away. It never was. And the faster the world moves, the more critical it becomes to lead with clarity, with courage, and with a vision that actually excites people. Not a presentation deck. Not a trend. A vision. Something that’s worth the risk. Something that makes people feel alive again. Something that reawakens their hunger for growth.
That part—making people believe—is everything.
People don’t resist change because they’re lazy or unmotivated. They resist change because they’re afraid. And the only antidote to fear is belief. So you have to lead from the front. You have to model the fearlessness you want to see. You have to radiate energy, hold conviction, and speak the truth—even when it’s uncomfortable.
Because the work of change is hard. It’s messy. It’s nonlinear. You will fail. Your people will fail. And you will have to get up—again and again—and try. With a bruised ego. With a clearer mind. With a heart that still wants better for everyone in the room.
You’ll have to pivot. You’ll have to admit when you were wrong. You’ll have to trade control for collaboration. And maybe most importantly—you’ll have to let go of the credit. Give your best ideas away. Let someone else carry the torch. Cheer for their win. Celebrate our progress, even if your name isn’t on the scoreboard.
Because the goal is not to be right. The goal is to be effective.
Credit is overrated. It feeds the ego but rarely feeds the future. Results are what matter. They’re the proof of leadership done right. Of love made visible. Of sacrifice that mattered.
So yes—change will demand more of you than you think you can give. It will stretch your patience. It will test your faith. It will ask you to step up even when you’re tired and to keep going even when you’re doubted. But if you’re lucky—if you’re bold—change will also become your finest act of service.
Because guiding people through change is love in its highest form.
Loving someone enough to not let them stay comfortable. Loving a team enough to protect their future. Loving an organization enough to fight for its relevance. That’s what I was always after.
Not applause. Not ease. Not credit.
But shared growth. Shared purpose. Shared resilience.
That’s the job.
And it’s the only one worth doing.
If this episode helped you reframe the way you think about change or leadership, I’d be honored if you shared it with someone walking that same path.
I publish short episodes every weekday on Substack, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. And on most Mondays, I share a letter from True North: A Father’s Guide for a Life Well-Lived.
Until next time—lead with love, keep your compass steady, and never forget: comfort isn’t the goal. Progress is.
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