Change at work often gets talked about like it is only strategic or operational.
New goals. New structure. New systems.
But change is never just about the productivity of work. Because behind every change are people trying to make sense of what it means for them.
Am I still valued here?
Will I belong in this new version of the team?
What am I losing that mattered to me?
That is why any time there is change, there is also loss.
Whether you are excited about a change like a promotion or dreading one like layoffs, the understanding that something will no longer be is real. The anticipation of loss and the grief that comes with it is also real.
Grief is that deep human reaction to losing something important to us.
It is the sadness that sits under the surface when routines shift, teams evolve, roles disappear, and stability fades.
And sometimes, especially in the workplace, we skip right over it.
We rush to keep things moving, push forward, and focus on what is next without acknowledging what is.
But what I have learned personally and professionally is that ignoring grief does not make it go away. It just makes it harder to move through change with clarity and care.
This is why change resilience starts with change literacy, understanding what is happening inside of you as much as what is happening around you.
So I invite you to pause and ask yourself:
What has changed for you recently, at work or in life? What have you lost because of that change? And what have you gained because of the change?
Your answers may surprise you.
They may also be exactly what you need to move forward.
Join me for a free webinar, Chaos Busters: Thriving During Times of Transition on April 30 at 12:30 p.m. ET to learn practical tools to navigate change.
