Until recently, I didn’t know what the phrase empty nest meant as it relates to humans. I always thought it was some conversation about birds…seriously! But with my youngest child headed to college in a heart beat, I’m now quite tuned into the phrase. For me, it means the end of a gradual evolution away from coaching early morning soccer games, being able to help with math homework, or sneaking out of the office for a spontaneaous summer afternoon hot fudge sundae with kids. There must be something wrong with me, because most of my contemporaries tell me they’re looking forward to the empty nest. As for me, I’ll miss the coaching, the homework help, the driving lessons and ice cream treats.

Change Is Hard

But with all of that in mind, my wife and I have been planning for the change that’s coming. We’re each developing a list of new interests we’d like to pursue, both together and individually. I have a crazy idea about starting some kind of empty nest match service online (more about that later). My point is CHANGE IS HARD. The older we get, the harder it is to navigate change. But navigate or not, plan or not – change is gonna come.

You know, I don’t think I’d be as disposed to thinking and planning for our upcoming personal change if I wasn’t involved with the programming I do. Smart organizations know that change is a part of sustaining market share and growth. Healthy organizations will anticipate change and help their teams embrace it as best they can. And many of our clients call us for team building when they’ve been caught off guard by change, and they need to do some visioning or morale boosting.

Change Is Good

My kids couldn’t stay young forever. And your organization won’t stay the same either. But of course, you really wouldn’t want it to, would you?

About Billy Kirsch

Billy is a Grammy & Emmy nominated, CMA & ACM award winning songwriter with numerous Top 10 hits to his credit. His team building programs and keynote speaking presentations help people tap into their creative abilities to become more innovative and engaged in their work. Clients include Fortune 100 companies and organizations throughout the world.