Turning Over a New Leaf

I have a complex relationship with this time of the year. Winter is my least favorite season, and fall – for me – is just a reminder that colder months are on the horizon. As the days grow shorter and the chill sets in, I find myself staying inside, burying myself under warm blankets, and hibernating until the sun returns.

Last week, while I languished in my fall funk, I was contemplating if I should go for a walk. I looked at the upcoming weather forecast, and it was clear this day was one of very few nice days left on the calendar.

But the truth is, I didn’t want to go for a walk. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I didn’t want to change my clothes and put on different shoes, find my headphones, or fill my water bottle. It had been a full day, and I was craving rest. The last thing I wanted to do was be in motion.

Thankfully, my better self prevailed in this internal tug-of-war, and I reluctantly headed out the door.

Autumn in the Midwest can be beautiful. Trees that were once a forgettable green turn into an abstract tapestry of yellow, orange, and red. A park, a rural area, or a community with intentional green space can feel like a drive-through art gallery with colors beyond adequate description.

Around mile three of my walk, I ascended a hill and turned a corner. I found myself standing in front of a massive tree that was covered in bright red leaves. I stood there, mesmerized, just taking it all in. It felt like I was experiencing the color red for the first time. I needed to pause and enjoy the view.

As I admired this tree, I couldn’t help but notice the contrast with the other neighboring trees. The backdrop was full of trees that were either still a basic green or had shed all their leaves. There was no other tree in sight that was at peace with being in the middle of change.

I continued my walk and thought about some life lessons from my brief stop at nature's art gallery.

First, there are the people who, like a tree that drops its leaves very quickly, rush through change as fast as possible. They perceive change as a negative force and want to get it over with. The in-between stage is skipped as they hurry to the next problem that needs to be solved. While there is a time and place for this approach, you can lose people with this strategy. When people detect that their leader fears change, it impacts the culture of a team in negative ways. Leaders who move too quickly through a season of change may find themselves without a team to lead.

There are also people who, like some trees, refuse to change. They oppose new ideas and approaches, fight against technology, and consistently rely on what has previously worked for them. They are not willing to embrace change, effectively living in the past. As leaders, they may believe they are playing it safe, but, in reality, they are risking it all by holding on to strategies that no longer serve them. Their refusal to change is a rejection of the future. We need more leaders who are willing to adapt to a changing season.

Lastly, there are the individuals who live their lives like the tree I saw. They celebrate change, make it visible, and are unafraid to stand out. They willingly pause and embrace the in-between phases of change. They don’t hide their seasons of transformation; they highlight them. Leaders who embrace change and navigate it at a healthy pace earn the trust of their teams.

Fall is an opportunity to stand out among those who refuse to change. The world is full of individuals who stick to their routines and are committed to always doing what they've always done. If we want transformation, it will require leadership that is no longer willing to blend into a landscape of basic green. We need more leaders willing to capture our minds and hearts as we dream in vivid color about the world we could create.

Together, we need to turn over a new leaf, stand out in a season of change, and separate ourselves from those who rush through change or hold on to the old ways of doing things.

Just as trees naturally respond to seasonal shifts, we, too, face changes in life. Some shifts are imminent – will you rush change, refuse to change, or celebrate change?

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