Reflections on Transition

September 2024 | Elul 5784

A Note from Debbie on Transitions

Time and time again, Jewish tradition teaches the importance of marking transitions openly and intentionally. The month of Elul in particular highlights this value: with a full 30 days of transition time, Elul promotes thoughtful reflection with the sounding of the shofar each day leading up to Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year. This practice allows for transitions to be honored, even and perhaps especially when they feel bittersweet. Like the warm summer air turning cooler toward fall, transitions involve letting go of one chapter to make room for the next.

Likewise, dedicating space to honor times of transition is also vital for psychological safety in our organizations. Ta’amod has experienced a number of transitions over the past year: between my own stepping out for parental leave and Rebecca’s stepping in, just this one temporary change alone prompted several transitions with their own benefits and challenges. We honored the goings and comings with team-wide appreciation circles that created intentional space for gratitude and reflection. In so doing, our organization ensures all members of our team have the opportunity for both closure and continuity.

With that in mind, we’d like to dedicate this month’s newsletter to our Communication and Operations Manager, Kalkidan Gezahegn, who will be moving onto other endeavors at the end of the month. From day one, Kalkidan enhanced our capacity with their insightful and thought-provoking questions, eye for streamlining systems and processes, and diligent work style. As the staff member who works most closely with Kalkidan, I have especially appreciated their warmth, humility, curiosity, eagerness to learn, and can-do attitude. Kalkidan, we have been blessed with your presence here, and can’t wait to see what’s next in store for you!

We are so grateful for the many blessings our teammates have offered Ta’amod throughout their time here. We wish Rebecca and Kalkidan all the best in their respective journeys and offer a heartfelt THANK YOU for the gift of their talent, hard work, and self!

May we all mark the transition into the new year with intention, thoughtfulness, and care.

Shana tova!

Debbie

TRAINING TIDBIT

When facing a transition of any kind at work, consider creating intentional space with your team to acknowledge the change and reflect. Use the following tips to guide you:

Set a designated time to acknowledge and honor the transition. You may need one space for logistical questions and discussion, and a separate space for reflection and processing
Make space for people to share what’s coming up for them
Choose an activity to honor the transition. Consider appreciation circles for colleagues moving on, get-to-know-you meetings for new members, or celebrations for internal promotions
Be intentional about how to close the space
Encourage continued discussion

Ready for a deeper dive? Ta’amod provides in-depth workshops focused on psychological safety.

These workshops will provide you and your team with the opportunity to practice the skills you need to create a psychologically safe workplace environment.