How long will it be before we return to the normal times of steady expansion, stable growth, relaxed socialization, and put this crazy turbulence and uncertainty behind us?  How about “never”?  I raise that disturbing possibility because the “normality” that we long for was in fact not at all normal, but was instead the product of unusual social, economic, and political conditions that are in the process of disintegrating.  That means that the confusion and uncertainty that we are facing are not an unfortunate-but-temporary situation, but that they stretch ahead of us as far as we can see. 

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Preparing for a talk with the leader of a large non-profit organization recently, I noted three questions to ask her. After decades of  asking these questions in organizations,  I know how central they are.

The 3 Questions

  1. What is changing?
  2. What will actually be different because of the change?
  3. Who’s going to lose what?

Here is why they are so important: Continue reading

On a rainy evening in Paris, just before New Year’s, I was leaving my hotel for dinner when I received an email from my publisher. Would I be interested in writing a revision of Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change for a 25th anniversary release? While the original concepts remained timely and relevant, this was the perfect opportunity to bring fresh and updated material into the work. Of course, I would!

Bill and I met thirty years ago as professional colleagues, married a decade later, merged our businesses, and began an extraordinary journey. We shared a mutual respect, ideas, writing and consulting, laughter, encouragement, and steadfast love through the years, as we partnered in life and work.

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