Leading Well Between the Start and the Finish
People remember how leaders act in the middle.
Not how exciting the launch was or how clean the landing looked.
The middle of a transition is where leadership credibility is tested.
Energy dips. Questions repeat. Progress feels slower than planned. Teams grow tired of waiting. Strong leaders don’t panic when this happens. They recognize it as a normal part of change.
Instead of chasing excitement or forcing closure, they focus on what still matters. They protect trust. They reinforce shared language. They keep people oriented to the mission even when the strategy is still evolving.
They model calm when others feel restless.
Leadership credibility isn’t built when everything is clear. It’s built when leaders remain present while things are unfinished.
Why This Matters
Teams don’t judge leadership by vision statements alone. They judge it by steadiness under pressure.
Leaders who remain grounded in the middle earn followership that lasts beyond the transition itself.
When This Shows Up
This is most visible when teams grow weary, ask the same questions again, and quietly wonder if clarity will ever come.
Ask Yourself:
Where is my team growing tired right now?
What needs to be reinforced, even if clarity is incomplete?
How am I modeling calm in the middle?
What will people remember about how I led this season?
You’re not alone:
Download the eBook TRANSITION: A GRAY ZONE GUIDE FOR LEADING CHANGE.
Or book a free Discovery Call and we’ll walk through your real-world leadership tensions together.
Two Chairs | One Mission
Where trust grows and leadership multiplies.
