Embracing Change for Successful Leadership and Performance
STEVEN GREAM
Head Volleyball Coach, Cowley College, Kansas, USA
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the ability to reinvent yourself is not simply a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether prompted by new opportunities, changing circumstances, or an internal desire for growth, personal reinvention empowers us to break free from stagnation and embrace the best version of ourselves. This discussion is a call to action: to step into the unknown with courage, resilience, and purpose.
Why Reinvention Matters
Life is a series of transitions. From graduating school to entering the workforce, from career shifts to personal milestones, we are constantly adapting. The individuals who thrive are not merely those who cope with change, but those who embrace it—those who see reinvention as a chance to write a new chapter, develop new skills, and discover hidden facets of themselves. Reinventing yourself is about more than survival; it is about thriving amid uncertainty. In my case, reinventing myself was seeing the needs of my players that came to light during the Covid epidemic. Mental Training was always an interest in how to help players excel on the court but I saw the need to help players with pressure, expectations, bouncing back from mistakes, develop confidence in themselves to not think they had to be perfect, and so much more. When I changed how I coached and how I used mental training to help my players, it is then that our program and players began to thrive on and off the court.
Signs It’s Time for Reinvention
There are a variety of signs and reasons to invent yourself. In my case it was a need that my program and players needed during a trying time and the changing times of the players. I felt I needed to reinvent myself to not only help me be a better coach, but to also help my players deal with what they were dealing with on and off the court. There are other signs that others might see as signs for them to reinvent themselves:
- You feel stuck or uninspired in your current situation.
- Your goals and values have shifted over time.
- Opportunities are passing you by due to hesitancy or self-doubt.
- You long for growth, learning, or a sense of renewed purpose.
If any of these resonate, consider it an invitation to embark on a journey of reinvention.
Steps to Reinvent Yourself
Reinventing myself took a leap of faith and getting out of my comfort zone. We tend to stay in our comfort zone and say “that is the way we have always done it” but you find that a change is needed for the long run. There are steps to come to this conclusion and reinventing yourself. The first is to reflect honestly on yourself and your situation. In my case, I saw a need and reflected honestly on how we could meet that need. That led to the second step, which was to examine the current situation and think about what wasn’t working, what excited me and would help my program and myself, and began studying and journaling what I truly wanted to do. Once the research was done, then I formed a bold vision on the direction that we were going to go. This involved imagining the final product and/or where you see yourself in three to five years. This will help guide your choices as you make adjustments along the way. Next, build a support network to surround yourself with positive and inspiring people who challenge and support you, such as mentors and people in your inner circle. For me it was my assistant coach and coaching mentors whom I respected advice from. Finally, embrace failure as feedback. When you are revinventing yourself and trying new things outside of your comfort zone, things are not going to go smoothly. One must use failure as feedback to make adjustments and opportunities to correct mistakes. As Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb said “I never once failed to make a lightbulb. I just found 99 ways not to make one.”
Overcoming the Fear of Change
It’s natural to feel apprehensive when stepping outside your comfort zone. Fear of the unknown can be paralyzing, but remember: growth rarely happens when we stay in familiar territory. By shifting your mindset from “What if I fail?” to “What might I discover?”, you empower yourself to move forward boldly. In my case, I was beginning mental training for volleyball and had reservations to not know enough to help my players and myself. There were experts that knew more than I did, and so I had a fear of not being knowledgeable enough to embark on incorporating mental training into volleyball training. Preparation helped with this and making adjustments along the way. As the old saying goes “The journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step”. So I took the first step and made adjustments along the way and from year to year.
Stories of Reinvention
History is filled with examples of people who reinvented themselves—sometimes out of necessity, sometimes out of aspiration. Consider the scientist who became an entrepreneur, the teacher who became an author, or the athlete who started a new career after retirement. Their journeys show us that reinvention is possible at any age and at any stage of life. In my journey, it was about meeting a need with the changing athlete and mental needs of my players during Covid and beyond. In turn, reinventing how I coached changed how I dealt with players, with myself, and was more aware of what my players need and continue to need to be successful on and off the court.
Conclusion: Your Next Chapter Awaits
Reinventing yourself is not about erasing your past but building upon it. It’s embracing change as a catalyst for self-discovery, fulfillment, and growth. The process may be challenging, but with intention, persistence, and courage, you can become the person and leader you are meant to be. So, take a deep breath, trust your journey, and step confidently into your next chapter—the best is yet to come.
