When Leaders Graduate: Coping with Change and Welcoming What’s Next

In this heartfelt episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan explore the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye to a beloved leader when they move on to a new opportunity.

Tansley reflects on the importance of celebrating a colleague’s departure as a graduation, a recognition that their growth and success are something to cheer for. She reflects on a quote from the movie Elizabethtown to cope, embrace, and look forward to what's next: "You have five minutes to wallow in the delicious misery. Enjoy it. Embrace it. Discard it. Then proceed." 

Ryan adds perspective on how teams can process these transitions in healthy ways: acknowledging the grief of change, finding gratitude for what was learned, and practicing openness to whoever steps into the role next, or preparing oneself to take on more responsibility while work is being restructured, temporarily or permanently. 

Whether you’ve recently said goodbye to a mentor or you’re preparing to lead through a transition, this episode offers tools for navigating the mix of celebration, loss, and hope that comes with every leadership change.