What Teams in Transition Keep Teaching Me

You know that moment when someone finally says what everyone’s been thinking?
And suddenly, it’s like the tension in the room exhales?

I’ve been seeing a lot of those moments lately.

Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of coaching multiple teams, all navigating some kind of transition.

Some are restructuring.
Some are losing members.
Some are waiting for clarity that keeps getting pushed.

And while the specifics differ, the emotional patterns have been strikingly similar.

Here’s what I’ve noticed:

Teams don’t fall apart because of the unknown.
They disconnect when they stop feeling seen inside it.

In every session, whether the team felt burned out, braced, hopeful, or hesitant, there was a moment where something shifted:

Someone said something real.
And others nodded.
And the air changed.

Not because anything got resolved, but because people remembered they weren’t alone in what they were feeling.

What Comes Up Again and Again

Across these different teams, I’ve heard:

“I want to keep my integrity, even if others don’t see it.”

“I’m scared to leave, but I’m also scared to stay.”

“I just want to know I showed up well through all this.”

“I feel bad putting myself first, even when I know I need to.”

Some sessions start in silence.
Some open with frustration.
Some fill with laughter near the end, that shaky kind of joy that signals something is softening.

None of them have been about fixing everything.

They’ve been about naming what’s real.

The Real Work of a Team in Uncertainty

If you’re in a team that’s navigating change, even if you don’t have a leadership title, here’s what I hope you’ll remember: Your presence matters more than your certainty. How you speak with each other matters more than what gets decided. The culture you’re shaping now is what you’ll remember when this chapter ends.  And yes, this is a chapter. It will end. But how you move through it is shaping what comes next, for you and for those around you.

Leadership Reflection Journal Page This week's invitation: What are the recurring themes in your team right now, and what role are you playing in them? Are you the one lightening the mood? The one holding back? The one asking better questions? You don’t need to change everything. But you might be able to shape something small that makes a difference. What This Means for You You don't need to run a team offsite or change the whole structure to make a difference. Sometimes, the most meaningful shift is asking: "What part am I playing in how this team feels right now, and is it the part I want to be playing?" The truth is, most teams don't remember all the details of what was decided in difficult times. But they do remember how they felt, how they were treated, and how their leaders and others around them showed up. With care. With presence. With clarity on the values you live by. That part is still within your reach. Click here to download your editable journal page. If this resonated, feel free to forward this email to someone you work with or care about. We lead differently when we're reminded that we're not alone. With you, Linda Touching Distance | Within Reach