Leading Change from the Inside Out
- Robert L. Dortch, Jr.
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Did you know that sunflowers symbolize change because of their ability to thrive in challenging conditions?
In our lives, change keeps coming, and it continues to show us that it's neither polite nor convenient. It interrupts, disrupts, challenges, exposes, and at the same time, it can grow us if we're open to it. Sometimes, change comes through transition. Sometimes, it comes through tension. But make no mistake—change is always happening within us and around us. In our work. In our relationships. In how we lead. The most important question isn't really about what's changing around you.
The question is, what are you saying to yourself about the changes you're facing?
Because the most important voice in a season of change isn't coming from outside—it's the one in your mind.
That's why I've stopped first asking leaders, "What are you going to do?" and started asking:
What are you saying to yourself? What are you thinking? What do you believe about your ability to lead, and what is possible for you?
Change is about more than creating new strategies. It's about shifting mindsets. If we want to honestly deal with change, we must start with what's happening inside. Here are 5 Lessons on Dealing with Change :
1. Check Your Internal Conversation
What you say to yourself has more power than what anyone else says to you.
If you tell yourself the change is too big, too hard, or not worth the effort, you'll believe it and act accordingly.
What's the dominant voice in your head right now—faith, fear, doubt, clarity, resistance?
2. Confidence Counts As Much as Competence
You can have degrees, experience, and talent—but if you don't believe in yourself, none of that matters.
Confidence isn't arrogance. It's alignment between who you are and what you are being called to act on as a leader.
This moment is not too big for you—unless you say it is.
3. Get Clear on Your Choices
Change often feels overwhelming because we treat it like it's all or nothing. But every season of change opens new options—some we see, some we ignore.
What are your real choices right now?
Not the perfect ones—the possible ones. The ones you can act on today.
4. Make a Commitment You Can Stand On
We love to meet, plan, meet again, and talk about change, but change demands more than intention—it requires commitment.
What's one promise you're willing to make to yourself right now—and keep?
Big change is built on small, daily commitments.
5. Don't Do Change Alone
One of our biggest mistakes as leaders is thinking they have to figure it all out alone. You have a network. Use it. Call someone. Ask for perspective. Invite support.
You don't need everyone—you just need one person who will tell you the truth, be honest with you, and walk with you through it.
5 Questions to Ask Yourself This Week
What's the internal conversation I need to confront?
Do I believe I can lead through this season—or am I shrinking back?
What are the choices in front of me, and what do I need to act on now?
What commitment can I make—and keep—that aligns with who I want to be in this season?
Who can I reach out to this week to support or challenge me in this change?
3 Exercises to Lead Change From the Inside Out
🔹 The Get Real With You Journal Challenge
Every morning this week, journal about a current change you're facing, and then look in the mirror and speak one sentence of truth to yourself about who you are and how you're capable of leading through change.
🔹 Make the Commitment Visible
Write down one commitment tied to the change you're facing. Post it where you can see it every day. Tell one person about it. Then live into it—every day.
🔹 Schedule a Conversation and Connect
Make a commitment to reach out to one trusted voice in your network you've been meaning to connect with and schedule a 20-minute conversation to process what's shifting in your world. Don't overthink it. Just reach out.
Remember, we can't control every shift, challenge, or disruption. But we can control how we show up in the middle of it.
Turn off the noise because you don't need more noise. You need clarity.
You don't need more perfection. You need courage.
And you don't need to walk it alone.
So, before you do anything else this week, stop and ask yourself:
"What am I saying to myself about this change—and is it helping me move forward?"
Change is not about being fearless. It's about being honest with yourself, being present, and being willing to make a commitment to action. We can do this.
