I went for a walk in the woods and was rewarded with the sound of fall leaves under my feet and crispness in the air. The deer seemed to know that a new season was upon us, looking around more curiously than normal (a little jittery) as leaves fell around them, too.
As we experience 2025 and all the change that is around us, I find myself reflecting on the necessity of change, the end to – or death of – things to prepare for the new life that will greet us in the spring, whether it is the actual season or a metaphorical rebirth.
AI is upon us and it can feel more like an out-of-control storm that may topple a tree than a gentle breeze that encourages the leaves to fall, leaving room for the newbies. So, what does nature teach us about the best way to approach change?
Acceptance is what I often see in nature. A stream bends and adjusts instead of stopping completely when a limb falls across it. I watched a beaver navigate the road where a construction crew had built a fence instead of freezing and giving up. Change is certain; not always comfortable, but it is a guarantee.
How do we best prepare for change? One way is to note and prioritize what’s important to us and within our control. I can’t control if the tree falls on my house but I can make sure my insurance policy is up-to-date and that any precious items – like photos of my kids – are backed up. I can check on the tree’s health and trim it up or cut it down if the risk is apparent.
At work, I can’t know that a key employee is planning to give me a two-week notice when six months would barely cover a transition. However, I can make sure we have written processes and procedures that we communicate expectations around exiting and that we have backup plans in place for all mission-critical activities.
On my walk, I ended up at the top of ridge where the view was much more macro than the one deeper in the woods. I noticed how pristine and perfect everything looked from afar. The paths looked smooth, the trails seemed to be without roots or rocks. When we take the time to get away from it all and look at the big picture, change may seem just a bit more manageable – more clean and less likely to cause us to stumble. Just then the wind started up and the leaves began to fall around me. I watched, joyfully, as they appeared to dance on their way down…enjoying the experience, accepting the ride instead of resisting it and missing the wonder of flight.
– Becky Sharpe, CEO
