EP214: Pixie Dust Pep Talk - The Human Side of Change Matters Most
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(The notes below are only a brief bullet point summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email to angie@angie-robinson.com.
We talk about change all of the time. Change is one of those leadership topics we talk about constantly—and rightly so. It’s always happening.
We focus on:
Strategy
Timelines
Communication plans
Implementation
All of those are critical.
But what we often skip over is the human side of change.
And that’s the part that matters most.
What We Miss: The Emotional Reality of Change
The human side of change is where people are processing:
Loss
Uncertainty
Identity shifts
Fear
Hope mixed with hesitation
Even positive change can be disorienting.
As leaders, you’re often expected to move quickly, stay optimistic, and keep everyone focused on what’s next. But that expectation can quietly disconnect you from the very people you’re trying to support.
People don’t resist change because they’re difficult.
They struggle because change asks something real of them.
It asks them to:
Let go of what they know
Disrupt routines
Question competence and confidence
Sometimes even question belonging
And leaders—you’re human too. You feel this as well.
Change Doesn’t Happen in Isolation
One change rarely comes alone.
It might look like:
A new system you're excited about
A policy shift that feels frustrating
A new project that energizes you
A restructuring that means losing a leader you loved working for
And that’s just at work.
Layer in life:
Kids going online at school
Safety concerns
Moving homes
Sending a child to college
This is real life. This is change saturation.
Ignoring these realities doesn’t make change easier.
Acknowledging them does.
Two Psychological Realities Leaders Must Understand
1. Personality Style
We all show up differently.
Our personality style impacts how we:
View the world
Process information
Approach uncertainty
Experience change
Different styles absorb change differently. That matters.
2. The Phases of Transition
Change has phases:
Loss – Something is ending.
Neutral Zone – The in-between space of uncertainty.
Acceptance & Forward Movement – Embracing what’s next.
Our brains need time to move through this process.
When leaders understand this, they stop rushing people through emotions that need to be acknowledged.
The Leadership Balance: Direction + Compassion
When you honor the human side of change:
People feel seen.
They feel connected.
They don’t feel rushed.
Resistance softens.
Trust increases.
This does not slow change down.
It supports it.
You can still hold expectations. You can still move forward.
But you can do it with compassion.
That balance—between direction and empathy—is where strong, impactful human leadership lives.
What Do You Think?
What might the people around you be experiencing beneath the surface of change?
Links
4-Session 1:1 Coaching Package
Discover Your Personality Style Quiz [download]
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