Leading Change starts with yourself

Leading change starts with you. When we talk about leading change at work, it's often about others: our team, our organisation, our stakeholders, our processes, the stuff that is changing. But leading change well has to start with ourselves. Quite often leaders skip this bit.

Before you can inspire, guide, or energise others, you have to pause and ask: How am I navigating this change myself? What does it mean for me as a leader? What do I need to let go of and what do I need to step into?

5 steps to help you think about what change means to you as a leader -

1. Pause - Step back from the whirlwind of organisational demands.
🍃 What does this change mean for me, personally?

Change often feels urgent, but the first step is to slow down. I know it's an uncomfortable thought! Reflect on your role in the shift and what is needed. Leading change well requires rest, thinking time, and intention.

2. Mess - Every change stirs up emotions, uncertainty, discomfort, resistance.
🍃 What do I need to acknowledge, accept and work on?

The key is not to avoid the mess but to explore it. What qualities do you need to strengthen? Which values are you holding as you show up? Where might you feel challenged? What blind spots could get in your way? Owning this part of the process builds trust.

3. Play - Change creates possibilities (not just problems!). Leaders who thrive in change create space for curiosity, innovation, and fresh perspectives.
🍃 How can I do things differently in this moment of change?

If you only work on the next problem that shows up you might miss the big opportunity. Keep asking: What are all our options? How can I bring a spirit of discovery rather than fear? Play keeps change from feeling like a burden to a space of opportunity.

4. Try - Change becomes real through action. But it doesn’t have to be huge leaps. Start with small, achievable steps that signal commitment.
🍃 What are the small, but significant things I can do right now?

What new behaviours will demonstrate to your team that change is possible and that you’re walking the path with them? Leaders who try first invite others to follow.

5. Restart - You have to demonstrate you are owning this - not just to your team, organisation - but to yourself.
🍃 How will I demonstrate the lessons, the shift, the behaviour that is required?

Change is messy. But when you start with yourself, you lead like you mean it. And that’s the kind of leadership people trust in uncertain times.

So it's not about asking “How will I lead them through change?”

It's “How am I leading myself?”

Thank you to Carla Miller for inviting me on her podcast to talk about it. I use the 5 steps, as I'm finding that framework is helping me think through everything right now! Listen to the podcast to get more about the subject.

https://carlamiller.co.uk/podcast/ep-189-leading-change-with-eleanor-tweddell/