R is for Renewal: Leading Through the Cycle of Change.

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” Albert Camus.

Leadership isn’t linear - it’s cyclical. At times bumpy! Teams evolve, strategies shift, and identities transform. Yet many leaders resist renewal, clinging to what worked before.

Research in transition theory and organisational change shows that intentional renewal fosters resilience, innovation, and long-term effectiveness.

We worked with a leadership team post a CEO exit. Morale was low, energy diminished. By framing the moment as a renewal - not just a recovery - they began to reimagine their purpose, reconnect with values, and rebuild confidence. The shift wasn’t superficial - it was cultural.

Actionable Insight:

• Name the cycle: What’s ending, what’s emerging, what needs to be reimagined?

  
  

• Use rituals to mark transitions - symbolic acts matter.

  
  

• Ask: “What do we want to carry forward, and what must we leave behind?”

  
  

• Acknowledge personal change, share learning, collect insights and act on them.

  
  
  
  

Why it matters: Renewal isn’t about going back - it’s about going deeper. When leaders embrace it, they unlock transformation.

Bridges, W. (2004). ‘Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes’. Da Capo Press.

Van de Ven, A. H., & Poole, M. S. (1995). Explaining development and change in organizations. ‘Academy of Management Review’, 20(3), 510–540.