The Four Types of Change: How to Recognize and Respond Effectively

What comes to mind when you hear the word change?

For many mid-career women, change often comes in the form of significant life transitions—pivoting to a new role, stepping into leadership positions, launching a business, or making the difficult decision to leave a job that no longer aligns with their values. It could also mean navigating personal changes like children leaving home, caring for aging parents, or reevaluating relationships that once felt steady.

I think it’s important to recognize that at this stage, change is not just about professional growth, but also about redefining what success and fulfillment look like. With each shift, we’re invited to reassess priorities, embrace new challenges, and create a life that feels more aligned and intentional, and as women, that’s critical.

But not all change looks the same. There are four distinct types of change that we’ll likely experience throughout our lifetime. While they can show up individually, they often overlap, influencing multiple areas of our lives at once.

Keep reading to explore the four types of change and discover strategies for navigating each one with confidence, clarity and a little grace.

1) Change that Happens To Us

This type of change is typically unexpected and beyond our control, impacting different aspects of our lives — whether it’s our careers, personal relationships, or business. These shifts can be challenging because we’re forced to adapt to new situations that disrupt our routines and sense of stability.

Examples of Change That Happens To Us:

1. Career Setbacks

A long-standing role is eliminated due to company restructuring.
New management takes over and completely changes your team’s strategic direction.
Unexpected layoff or being asked to take on a new role that doesn’t align with your career aspirations.
Slow labour market for hiring and re-employment. Being promoted to a role or organization that is regressive.

2. Family Responsibilities Shifting:

Having to take special interest in a child with learning needs, behaviour issues, or setting them up for success with post-secondary education
Having to step in as the primary caregiver for an aging parent.Children leaving for college, creating an “empty nest” that alters daily routines and priorities.
A sudden illness or health crisis in the family that changes financial or emotional dynamics.

3. Entrepreneurial Disruptions:

New industry regulations come into effect that force you to overhaul business operations.
Revenue and cash flow challenges
Economic downturns reduce consumer demand, requiring a complete pivot in your offerings.
Staffing and people issues and turnover

4. Personal Life Transitions:

Divorce or separation that changes financial stability and living arrangements.
Relocation due to a partner’s job transfer, disrupting your own career/business.
Close friends or family members moving away, leaving you with a reduced support system.

5. Technology-Driven Changes:

Being stuck with technology and the adoption process.
A critical software update alters how you manage key processes, requiring you to relearn systems.
Your business or role becomes obsolete due to automation or new technologies entering your field.
Social media platforms change their algorithms, impacting your reach and engagement with clients.

The reality is that, depending on your circumstances, there may be little you can do to prevent these changes. However, recognizing that this type of change is happening to you can help reframe your response and guide your next steps more strategically.

This type of change can become a powerful catalyst for personal growth by pushing you beyond your comfort zone and encouraging you to stretch your limits. It challenges your existing beliefs and assumptions, often revealing strengths and resilience you didn’t realize you had, helping you discover new facets of yourself and unlock your potential to navigate and thrive through change.

2) Change That Happens Around Us

This type of change occurs on a broader scale, impacting our communities, industries, nations, or even the entire world. It may not always directly target our lives, but it can still influence our personal circumstances, careers, families, and relationships in profound ways.

Consider the recent COVID-19 pandemic. It completely reshaped how we live and work—affecting everything from our approach to remote work and business operations to how we socialize, travel, and access healthcare.

As entrepreneurs, you might have been forced to pivot your business model overnight, transitioning to virtual services or finding new ways to connect with clients. Similarly, many mid-career professionals suddenly had to navigate the challenges of homeschooling their children while maintaining productivity in their own roles.

While these changes can be overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and stronger relationships. The pandemic, for example, taught many of us to be more adaptable and resilient, fostering deeper empathy for those around us.

Ultimately, facing large-scale changes alongside others can create a sense of shared purpose and collective strength. Whether it's supporting a friend through a career transition or collaborating with peers to adapt your business to new realities, weathering these changes together can deepen your bonds and build lasting connections.

Examples of Change That Happens Around Us:

1. Global Events Impacting Work and Business:

Russia/Ukraine War & Israel/Palestine Conflict: These conflicts have deeply impacted families and communities on both sides, leaving many struggling with grief, fear, and displacement. For those with relatives in the affected areas, the stress of uncertainty and concern for loved ones is overwhelming. Beyond the personal toll, businesses are navigating disrupted supply chains, rising costs, and volatile markets. Leaders and entrepreneurs must balance business decisions with compassion and awareness, supporting team members who may be directly impacted while also managing the broader economic and logistical challenges these conflicts create.
COVID-19 Pandemic: Forced many businesses to go remote, pushing leaders and entrepreneurs to pivot quickly. This led to the rise of virtual business models, hybrid workplaces, and new approaches to maintaining team morale and productivity. Many organizations and small businesses are still recovering/experiencing regressive effects of the pandemic.
Economic Recessions: Result in budget cuts, reduced consumer spending, and higher unemployment, which can impact your business’s revenue or create unexpected challenges in finding new clients or job opportunities

2. Social Movements and Cultural Shifts:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives: The heightened focus on DEI has prompted many organizations and business owners to reevaluate their company cultures and hiring practices. As a result, some women leaders have had to spearhead new initiatives, host difficult conversations, or overhaul company policies to create more inclusive environments.
Climate Change Awareness: Increased attention on sustainability has led to shifts in consumer expectations and regulatory requirements. As a business owner, you may find yourself adapting to new standards, seeking eco-friendly suppliers, or building new value propositions centered around sustainability.

3. Technological Advancements:

Automation and AI Integration: Automation has rapidly transformed industries, impacting the types of skills needed in the workforce. Professionals might need to upscale or pivot their careers to stay relevant, while entrepreneurs might adopt new technologies to stay competitive.
Social Media Algorithm Changes: These affect how businesses and influencers engage with their audiences, often requiring adjustments to content strategy or paid advertising to maintain visibility.

4. Political or Regulatory Changes:

New Government Regulations: For example, privacy laws like the EU’s GDPR can significantly alter how businesses collect and handle customer data, forcing entrepreneurs to adapt their practices quickly to remain compliant.
Policy Shifts Affecting Families: Changes to tax benefits, healthcare policies, or parental leave can directly impact mid-career women who are balancing professional growth with family responsibilities, prompting reassessment of work-life decisions

5. Community or Local Transformations:

Housing Market Fluctuations: A sudden spike in housing costs or property taxes in your community can disrupt your family’s financial plans or alter your decision to relocate your business or pursue growth in a particular area.
Infrastructure Changes: New transportation routes, zoning laws, or business district developments can affect how you access clients, commute, or build community connections.

In each of these situations, large-scale changes happening around us require us to adapt in ways that may initially feel uncomfortable. However, navigating these shifts with those around us can lead to stronger networks, innovative solutions, and more resilient communities.

Examples of Change That Happens Around Us:

1. Global Events Impacting Work and Business:

Russia/Ukraine War & Israel/Palestine Conflict: These conflicts have deeply impacted families and communities on both sides, leaving many struggling with grief, fear, and displacement. For those with relatives in the affected areas, the stress of uncertainty and concern for loved ones is overwhelming. Beyond the personal toll, businesses are navigating disrupted supply chains, rising costs, and volatile markets. Leaders and entrepreneurs must balance business decisions with compassion and awareness, supporting team members who may be directly impacted while also managing the broader economic and logistical challenges these conflicts create.
COVID-19 Pandemic: Forced many businesses to go remote, pushing leaders and entrepreneurs to pivot quickly. This led to the rise of virtual business models, hybrid workplaces, and new approaches to maintaining team morale and productivity. Many organizations and small businesses are still recovering/experiencing regressive effects of the pandemic.
Economic Recessions: Result in budget cuts, reduced consumer spending, and higher unemployment, which can impact your business’s revenue or create unexpected challenges in finding new clients or job opportunities

2. Social Movements and Cultural Shifts:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives: The heightened focus on DEI has prompted many organizations and business owners to reevaluate their company cultures and hiring practices. As a result, some women leaders have had to spearhead new initiatives, host difficult conversations, or overhaul company policies to create more inclusive environments.
Climate Change Awareness: Increased attention on sustainability has led to shifts in consumer expectations and regulatory requirements. As a business owner, you may find yourself adapting to new standards, seeking eco-friendly suppliers, or building new value propositions centered around sustainability.

3. Technological Advancements:

Automation and AI Integration: Automation has rapidly transformed industries, impacting the types of skills needed in the workforce. Professionals might need to upscale or pivot their careers to stay relevant, while entrepreneurs might adopt new technologies to stay competitive.
Social Media Algorithm Changes: These affect how businesses and influencers engage with their audiences, often requiring adjustments to content strategy or paid advertising to maintain visibility.

4. Political or Regulatory Changes:

New Government Regulations: For example, privacy laws like the EU’s GDPR can significantly alter how businesses collect and handle customer data, forcing entrepreneurs to adapt their practices quickly to remain compliant.
Policy Shifts Affecting Families: Changes to tax benefits, healthcare policies, or parental leave can directly impact mid-career women who are balancing professional growth with family responsibilities, prompting reassessment of work-life decisions

5. Community or Local Transformations:

Housing Market Fluctuations: A sudden spike in housing costs or property taxes in your community can disrupt your family’s financial plans or alter your decision to relocate your business or pursue growth in a particular area.
Infrastructure Changes: New transportation routes, zoning laws, or business district developments can affect how you access clients, commute, or build community connections.

3) Change That Happens Within Us

This type of change affects who we are at our core—shifting our approach, values, mindset and overall outlook on life. It can manifest physically, emotionally, mentally, or even spiritually, and often has the deepest and most lasting impact. Unlike external changes, internal transformations are where we hold the most power, because we have the ability to influence how we respond and shape the trajectory of our personal growth.

These changes can be triggered by external events or arise from a desire for personal development. For instance, a career setback might initially lead to self-doubt, but over time, it could also inspire a stronger sense of self-awareness and purpose. Similarly, experiencing burnout may push you to reevaluate your work-life balance and set healthier boundaries.

But not all internal changes are positive at first glance. Negative experiences, such as betrayal by a trusted colleague or the rejection of a business proposal, can leave emotional scars, making you more guarded or hesitant to take risks in the future. It’s important to recognize these shifts early, as unchecked negative emotions can shape our beliefs and limit our potential.

The good news is that, with this type of change, we have the power to influence the outcome. By becoming more intentional about how we process setbacks, we can turn difficult experiences into catalysts for growth. For example, navigating a personal loss might strengthen your resilience and empathy, making you a more compassionate leader. Or, deciding to prioritize self-care after years of putting everyone else first can transform your overall well-being and productivity.

Ultimately, change within us is about embracing the journey of self-discovery, using each experience—positive or negative—to build confidence, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. These skills don’t just help us navigate the present; they equip us to approach future changes with a sense of empowerment and clarity.

Examples of Change That Happens Within Us:

1. Shifting Priorities in Mid-Career:

After years of putting career first, you start feeling disconnected from your work and decide to redefine success on your own terms. You shift your focus from climbing the corporate ladder to building a more fulfilling life that balances family, personal interests, and work. This internal shift might lead you to pursue a new career path, start a business, or even transition into consulting roles that offer more flexibility and purpose.

2. Developing Emotional Resilience:

Experiencing a major business failure or financial loss might initially bring about feelings of inadequacy or fear of taking future risks. Over time, however, you consciously choose to reframe the experience as a learning opportunity. You begin to see setbacks as stepping stones to future success and build a mindset of resilience and perseverance, which allows you to handle future challenges with greater composure and confidence.

3. Strengthening Personal Boundaries:

If you’ve always been a “people-pleaser” or taken on too much to keep others happy, a period of burnout might serve as a wake-up call. You decide to prioritize your own needs and well-being, learning to say “no” more often and set clearer boundaries in both your professional and personal life. This internal change not only enhances your energy and mental health but also improves your relationships and work performance.

4. Transforming Limiting Beliefs:

A lifetime of hearing that you’re “not a numbers person” may have held you back from pursuing financial goals or stepping into leadership roles that require strategic thinking. After deciding to challenge this belief, you take courses in finance or business strategy, seek mentorship, and build up your knowledge. As your confidence grows, you begin to see yourself as a capable leader who can handle complex decisions, transforming a long-held narrative into a source of empowerment.

5. Gaining Perspective through Personal Loss:

A difficult personal experience, such as the death of a loved one or a divorce, might initially lead to a period of grief, questioning, and uncertainty. Over time, however, you find that the experience has deepened your empathy and appreciation for the present moment. This inner change influences how you lead and connect with others, making you a more compassionate and grounded person, both at home and at work.

6. Embracing a New Sense of Purpose:

You might hit a point in mid-life where the career or business you’ve built no longer feels aligned with who you are becoming. After a period of self-reflection, you decide to pivot to work that feels more meaningful—whether that’s starting a nonprofit, mentoring young professionals, or advocating for a cause you care deeply about. This shift is more than a career change; it’s a redefinition of your purpose and identity.

In each of these examples, change happens within—altering your mindset, beliefs, and approach to life. While these transformations can be triggered by external events, the real impact comes from how you choose to respond and grow through them.

For example, if you’re mid-career and looking to develop your leadership skills, you might actively seek out a mentorship program, enroll in executive coaching, or pursue a professional certification. This conscious decision positions you to grow and evolve, opening up new career opportunities and preparing you for greater leadership roles.

Or, if you’re a business owner looking to scale, you might initiate change by restructuring your business model or hiring new team members to delegate day-to-day operations. This could involve learning new skills, embracing a different leadership style, or even moving into a more strategic role within your organization. Although this change is planned, it still pushes you out of your comfort zone and offers the chance to explore new aspects of your professional identity.

Examples of Change We Initiate:

1. Pursuing New Education or Skills:

After years in your current role, you decide it’s time for a change and enroll in an MBA program to expand your strategic thinking. You may need to adjust your schedule to balance classes, work, and family, but the experience introduces you to new frameworks and professional networks that you wouldn’t have otherwise encountered.

2. Building Healthier Habits:

You make a commitment to prioritize your well-being by establishing a daily morning routine that includes meditation and exercise. This intentional change improves not only your physical health but also your mental clarity and focus, giving you the energy to tackle both personal and professional challenges.

3. Changing Career Paths:

Feeling unfulfilled in your current industry, you take steps to transition into a completely different field, such as moving from corporate management to launching a wellness business. This requires learning new skills, building a fresh network, and navigating uncertainty, but it aligns with your desire to create a career that reflects your personal values and passion.

4. Starting a Passion Project:

You decide to start a podcast that highlights women entrepreneurs and their journeys, using your platform to give voice to stories that inspire others. This project requires you to develop new skills in interviewing and content creation, but it also opens the door to building meaningful connections and engaging with a broader community.

5. Adopting New Leadership Approaches:

As a leader, you recognize that your management style could benefit from more empathy and collaboration. You make a conscious effort to become a better listener and actively seek feedback from your team. Over time, this shift not only strengthens your team’s performance but also cultivates a more inclusive and supportive work culture.

6. Taking Control of Work-Life Balance:

You decide to create more space for personal time by setting firmer boundaries around work hours. You start leaving the office at a set time, scheduling non-negotiable family time, or even experimenting with a four-day workweek. While this change requires adjustments from your team and clients, it ultimately leads to improved productivity, better relationships, and a healthier outlook.

By initiating change, you expose yourself to new experiences, challenge long-held assumptions, and expand your horizons.

These intentional shifts can cultivate compassion and empathy as you recognize that others are also striving to create positive changes in their own lives. Through the process of creating change for yourself, you not only gain a deeper appreciation for the effort it takes, but also become more understanding of the different journeys others are navigating.

Personal Reflection (15 minutes):

Take a few minutes to reflect individually on your experiences with change.

Consider these questions:

What are some significant changes you've experienced in your career and personal life?
How did these changes affect you physically, emotionally, or mentally?
Which changes did you initiate, and which were unexpected?

Explore the types of change you’ve identified and how these changes have shaped your current perspective of your life situation and circumstances.

How can you apply the insights from this exploration to approach future change with greater dexterity and confidence?

Remember, you’re worth it!

At FRONTIER Leadership, our niche specialty training offers a highly integrated program for individuals in leadership, negotiation, career advancement, and entrepreneurship.

Individuals advance into rewarding roles, gain promotions and progressive compensation, elevate their language, gain leadership presence, develop robust strategic networks, and receive increased mentorship. We prepare them to make an impact in their organizations.

We believe it is critically important for organizations to establish innovative initiatives to enable a sustainable pipeline of confident individuals in leadership.

The Four Types of Change: How to Recognize and Respond Effectively

Kristina Sammut

The Four Types of Change: How to Recognize and Respond Effectively

Kristina Sammut

1) Change that Happens To Us

2) Change That Happens Around Us

2) Change That Happens Around Us

3) Change That Happens Within Us

4) Change That We Initiate