A few months ago, you were approached about an incredible career opportunity.

Pursuing it could result in many changes, not the least of which is a relocation across the country. Interested and intrigued, you confirmed your spouse’s support and agreed to add your name to the list of candidates for the role.

Over the next several weeks, there were many conversations, weighing pros and cons, prepping for interviews, and giving thoughts to the possibilities of what this would mean for your future.

After surviving several rounds of meetings with the company and its team, you receive an offer. Now it’s real.

You’re both over the moon. Moving from your quaint city in the east to a true cosmopolitan metro area in the west would be a wonderful and timely new adventure and the opportunity of a lifetime. You want this. You need it!

After thoughtful consideration, you accept.

They need you ASAP and you negotiate a start date one month away. The pressure is on to prepare and execute.

Now that you have it well understood and a plan to make it happen, you feel like it’s finally time to sit down and tell your three teenage kids the amazing news.

How do you think that’ll go?

I use this analogy to help sponsors appreciate how change feels when we wait too long to start communicating and engaging others in the conversation, and we give them too little time to consider it for themselves.

We all need time. Whether weighing What’s In It For Me or What It Means For Me, or both, it’s critical to make that time available.

Change is emotional and personal, as much in the workplace as anywhere else.

In my experience, the element of surprise doesn’t usually work out very well, even if the surprise is amazing!!

Have a great week.