As of June 1, 2025, Living As A Leader has entered an exciting new chapter—one marked by both continuity and transformation. After more than 30 years of building and leading our organization with unwavering dedication, founders Aleta Norris and Nancy Lewis have officially retired. We are grateful for the solid foundation they built and honored to carry their legacy forward.
While leadership has transitioned, the heart of Living As A Leader remains unchanged. Our new co-owners—Theresa Custer, President and Dionne Wolter, Chief Financial Officer— are long-standing team members with over 25 years of combined experience within the company. Together, we remain deeply committed to the mission, values, and trusted relationships that define who we are.
As we embrace our own organizational transformation, we understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with change. It’s fitting, then, that we spotlight one of our most relevant and timely programs: Support Yourself and Others Through Change.
Why Change Efforts Often Fall Short
Research shows that nearly 70% of change initiatives fail, largely due to resistance from people and lack of proper support throughout the transition (McKinsey & Company, Organizing for Change, 2022). That’s why understanding both the rational and emotional sides of change is essential for any organization aiming to grow and thrive.
The Rational Change Model
At Living As A Leader, we help leaders make sense of change using the Rational Change Model, a practical framework that applies across organizations—whether company-wide, within departments, or at the team level. The model highlights three key phases in a business’s evolution:
- Getting Started
An entrepreneurial phase fueled by energy, creativity, investment, and informal processes.
- Building Momentum
A growth phase where structure, consistency, and profitability begin to emerge.
- Reinventing
A transformation phase where organizations blend proven methods with new ideas to remain relevant and resilient.
The Emotional Change Model
Organizations aren’t the only ones navigating change—people are, too. And every individual experiences change through three emotional stages:
- Endings
A time of letting go. Individuals may resist change, feel stuck in the past, or struggle to move on.
- Transitions
A phase of uncertainty. Progress is not linear—some days feel like breakthroughs, others like setbacks.
- Beginnings
Acceptance and adaptation. People begin to embrace the new reality, take on new responsibilities, and move forward with confidence.
Supporting Change—One Leader at a Time
Our Support Yourself and Others Through Change workshop equips leaders at all levels with tools to successfully guide their teams through transformation. Participants learn how to:
- Recognize emotional resistance and support others through it
- Apply Rational and Emotional Change Models to current workplace challenges
- Develop a personalized action plan to lead through change
- Coach and connect with individuals at every stage of their change journey
This workshop isn’t just about managing change—it’s about leading it with empathy, strategy, and resilience.
Our Commitment
As we navigate our own transition in ownership, we are actively experiencing many of the same dynamics we help our clients manage. While change brings opportunity, it also invites uncertainty—and we’re working through it just like the organizations we serve. This shared experience reinforces our belief that leading through change requires intentionality, empathy, and the right tools. It’s a powerful reminder that no matter how seasoned the team, change impacts everyone—and having a proven approach makes all the difference.
Whether you’re navigating change within your organization or helping your team through a difficult transition, know that you’re not alone. We’re navigating this alongside you—and we’re here to help.
Let’s grow forward, together.