More and more leaders I work with are sensing something important: As we’ve always defined it, growth no longer tells the whole story. Not because growth isn’t significant. But it no longer captures everything that truly matters.

Change and change management are terms that spark all kinds of expectations—especially for leaders and professionals navigating in a complex and uncertain world. Everyone assumes what change means and what change specialists or programs should deliver. But not all change is created equal. It’s time to bring more clarity.

The mental models and leadership approaches that served us well for decades increasingly show their limits. Economic growth no longer serves as the sole compass for success, and the familiar ways we work strain under the weight of rapid technological, social, and environmental shifts.

In today’s fast-changing world, it’s tempting to look for big strategies or bold visions to lead the way. But real, profound change usually starts with something simpler—and more human: trust.

Lately, I’ve reflected on the crossroads where digital transformation meets sustainability and what this means for us as leaders in mid-sized European service providers. It feels like we’re standing at a pivotal moment that calls for more than incremental change or efficiency gains.

Change is a natural rhythm of life—an unfolding process we all navigate in our own way. Yet, when people express their natural reactions to change, we often label them as “resistance.” That word carries weight, a judgment that feels unjustified when we pause to truly listen.