Leading Through Change: Connection Is Your Greatest Asset

Change is the one constant in life and in leadership – that much is obvious and often pointed out. But if it’s so constant, why is it still so hard to lead through?

Change doesn’t ask for permission. It just arrives, sometimes quietly, sometimes crashing through the door. It shows up as new strategies, shifting markets, technological disruption, or the personal curveballs life throws at us. For me, that’s included the tragic passing of two colleagues in recent years, moments that shook both me and my team to the core.

Some fear change, others resist it. A few thrive in it. But over time, I’ve observed that the real key to leading through change lies not only in strategy or process, but in connection to your values, to others, and to the deeper purpose behind what you’re doing.

And here’s the truth: I didn’t learn this in boardrooms, books, or leadership programs. My greatest lessons came from my mates.

The Power of Mateship

Two of my best mates, Haywood and Cookie, have been my constants through the highs and the lows. They’ve cheered my wins like they were their own, stood beside me in the tough times, and dropped everything when I needed them. They’ve laughed with me, challenged me, and called me out when I got it wrong.

We keep in touch religiously, week in and week out. It helps me regularly remind myself that leadership is not about carrying the weight alone. It’s about walking with the right people, mates or colleagues, so that even the toughest challenges become stepping stones.

Even the word ‘change’ means more to me now. It’s not just a word anymore. It’s a symbol of connection. Inspired through our mateship, Haywood even built a thriving leadership business around it called ‘CHanGe’. The capital C for Cookie, H for Haywood, G for Gillam—me.

For me, it’s a daily anchor: no matter how disruptive change feels, it’s navigable when you’re surrounded by people who lift you, challenge you, and remind you, it’ll be alright.

The Leadership Lens on Change

Let’s be real, leading through change is hard. People look to leaders for clarity when things feel uncertain, for direction when the path is unclear, and for reassurance when emotions run high. A leader in times of change doesn’t just manage tasks; they manage energy, fear, and hope.

Too often, organisations view change as a technical process: restructure the org chart, implement new systems, launch new products. But change is fundamentally human. It stirs up fear of loss, resistance to the unknown, and stress over identity. A leader who ignores the emotional dimension of change misses the point.

Change as a Grieving Process
Change, in many ways, mirrors grief. When something familiar ends, whether it’s a role, a structure, or simply the way things used to be, people naturally move through stages that resemble the grieving process.

There’s denial, where we hope things might stay the same.

There’s frustration, as we wrestle with what’s being lost.

There’s sadness, as we let go of what we valued.

And then, slowly, there’s acceptance, where we begin to see possibility in the new.

As leaders, it’s critical to recognise that change isn’t just logistical, it’s emotional. If we create space for people to process, acknowledge the sense of loss, and guide them with empathy, we not only help them move through the grief of change but also empower them to embrace the growth that follows.

And this is where connection matters most. Because while strategies might shift, people don’t follow plans, they follow people. They follow leaders who are real, who communicate openly, and who anchor them in trust.

Lessons from Nick Haywood: Change as Opportunity

Nick Haywood has built a business around helping people and organisations thrive through change. He’s passionate about guiding leaders and teams in both sport and business to not only survive change, but to see it as an opportunity for growth and renewal.

Nick often talks about the gift of change, the fresh perspectives, the new beginnings, the chance to reimagine what’s possible.

That mindset has shaped how I show up as a leader. Instead of asking, “How do we get through this change?” I’ve learned to ask, “How do we adapt, grow, and thrive because of this change?”

When you reframe change as a catalyst for growth, you transform fear into fuel. It doesn’t make change easy, but it does make it purposeful.

Anchors for Leading Through Change

Through my own journey, and inspired by those around me, I’ve come to believe there are three anchors for leading through change effectively:

1. Clarity of Purpose
When everything around you shifts, purpose is the compass. People can endure almost any change if they understand the why. Leaders must be relentless in communicating this. Purpose turns anxiety into motivation.

2. Connection with People
Change succeeds or fails at the human level. Leaders who listen deeply, empathise, and communicate openly are the ones who carry people with them. Connection builds trust, and trust fuels momentum.

3. Courage to Be Real
The most powerful leaders I know aren’t those who pretend to have all the answers. They’re the ones who admit when they don’t, who show up authentically, and who model resilience in the face of uncertainty. That courage doesn’t come from bravado, it comes from relationships, from knowing that even if you stumble, there are people who’ve got your back.

A Personal Reflection

There have been moments in my life where change has felt like a tidal wave, overwhelming and unstoppable. Times where I doubted myself, questioned the path, or struggled to find solid ground. In those times, my mates were there. They’ve helped me reframe setbacks as stepping stones and reminded me of who I am when everything else feels shaky.

And that’s why I continue to hold onto change - not just as a word, but as a reminder of the power of mateship, connection, and leadership in times of transition.

Change is not something we go through alone. It’s something we navigate together.

This is a call.

If you’re leading through change right now, ask yourself:

Are you clear on the purpose behind it?

Are you truly connected to your people, not just your plans?

Do you have the courage to show up as yourself, even when you don’t have all the answers?

And most importantly - who are the people in your corner who help you stay grounded?

Because leadership isn’t about going it alone. It’s about going together.

Change will come, no matter what. But when we lead with clarity, connection, and courage, we don’t just get through it. We grow because of it.

The true power of leading through change is found not in control, but in connection.

So here’s to change and here’s to CHanGe.