Change is uncomfortable - but it’s also an opportunity

We all experience change daily, and let’s be honest - most of us don’t like it, especially when the outcome is uncertain. We fear failure, loss, or stepping into the unknown. At the same time, we know that change can bring new opportunities, better conditions, financial growth, career advancement, and the fulfillment of our ambitions.

In the 21st-century workplace, one of the most critical skills is the ability to adapt to and initiate change.

If you’re wondering why, check out our earlier article Change as a Necessity for Career Growth

If you want to thrive in your career without fear of the future, you must learn how to navigate change effectively - and then practice, refine, and apply this skill in real life.

We can’t prepare for every possible scenario, nor can we eliminate all risks. But we can train ourselves to stay balanced during uncertainty and develop our unique way of handling change - no matter what shape it takes.

This is what it means to be the leader of your own life.

Understanding the Two Types of Career Changes

The first key realization is that career changes come in two forms: incremental and transformational.

✅ Incremental change is when you improve step by step. You know where you are (point A) and where you want to go (point B). You can plan, calculate, and set clear milestones.

Example: You aim to move up to a senior expert role with more decision-making power and higher pay.

⚠️ Transformational change is different because the end goal is unclear. You know that something needs to change, but you don’t know what the next step is.

Example: You feel unfulfilled in your job but have no idea what career path would suit you better. Or your position has been altered or eliminated in an organizational shift, but no one knows what that means for you yet.

Why Waiting or Panicking Won’t Work

Many people in transformational change fall into two traps:

1. Waiting for someone else to decide their future.

2. Panicking and grabbing the first available opportunity out of fear.

Neither of these approaches leads to long-term satisfaction. Instead, transformational change requires a different approach - one based on curiosity, patience, and active exploration.

The “U” Process: A Roadmap for Transformational Change

A career transformation follows a U-shaped journey, as outlined in Theory U, developed by Otto Scharmer and his team at MIT.

The key idea? To create a new future, you must let go of old patterns and tap into a deeper sense of creativity and intuition.

The process moves through three essential phases:

1. Sensing – Observing Without Judgment
   Before taking action, you need to observe without preconceived notions and listen deeply to yourself and your surroundings.
   What to do:
   ✔ Define your intention for change. What limits you? (e.g., “I’m not leadership material,” “I won’t learn this,” “What will others think?”)

   ✔ Explore new opportunities - talk to people in fields that interest you, research industry trends, and understand what skills are in demand in the job market.

   ✔ Start conversations with mentors, colleagues, or managers about development possibilities.

2. Acknowledging – Sitting with the Uncertainty
   This is the hardest part - the in-between phase where you’ve let go of the old but the new hasn’t yet taken shape. Many people feel anxious at this stage, but the key is to trust the process and remain present.

   What to do:

   ✔ Avoid rushing into decisions out of panic.

   ✔ Stay open and observe what inspires you from your research and conversations.

   ✔ Keep a big-picture perspective - sometimes, the right opportunity emerges when you least expect it.

3. Crystallizing & Prototyping – Taking Action in Small Steps

   Now, it’s time to move forward by testing ideas with low risk.

   What to do:

   ✔ Try a short-term project, temporary role, or internship in a new area.

   ✔ Volunteer for a cross-functional project within your company.

   ✔ If you’re transitioning within the same organization, take on a temporary role in a different department or location.

   ✔ Use your trial period wisely - treat it as an opportunity to refine and adjust your direction.

🌐 Learn more about Theory U here: www.u-school.org/theory-u

Final Insight: You Need the Right Support

Career transitions are much smoother when you have the right people around you. Surround yourself with those who encourage you and challenge you to grow, not those who hold you back out of their own fears.

When seeking advice, listen to people who have successfully navigated change - not those who never even tried.

This article was published in collaboration with Business and Leadership Coach Dagmar Kéryová. Learn more about how to navigate changes in the 21st-century workplace at:

🌐 www.dagmarkeryova.sk (Slovak version only)

🎧 Listen to the SHIFT HAPPENS podcast (Slovak version only)