“So, what’s changed?” I ask. It is one of my favorite questions. Change can happen on the outside, but it can also happen on the inside.

I always ask, “What’s changed in your industry?” The responses are easy, mostly observations from trade journals.

“What’s changed in your company?” The eyes roll. There is always some new something. Some new computer software, some new procedure, some new person, something new to stir things up. You can hear all about it at the water cooler.

“And with your team? What’s changed about your team?” The looks are puzzled. Well, we have a new team member. And Ralph, is getting weirder. And we have to work harder than we used to. And more is expected of us.

“And with yourself? What has changed about you?” This is the most interesting question. In the past twelve months, what has changed about you? What is the most significant thing you have learned? What is the most important decision you have made? What has made your older and wiser? What have you lived through that has prepared you for tomorrow? -TF