Whenever a relationship or a team navigates a transition, an opportunity to reset direction opens up. Unfortunately, the depletion that occurs while coping with the change leaves most of us blinded to the benefit. We’re too busy licking our wounds. But if we had a crystal ball, it would foretell the future and remind us that strength arises from adversity. More importantly, it would remind us that there is always a fleeting window of time to reshape our circumstances to our liking.

Sixteen years ago, we published a methodology for measuring the wellness of teams, relationships, and personal growth. In 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted us a trademark. A decade later, our assessment tool achieved research validation in a collaborative study partnering the Data Science programs from Elmhurst University and Carthage College. In addition to validating the tool, their summary cited a 98% predictability outcome between pre- and post-metrics when clients implement recommended actions.

For those who question whether strong workplace culture produces a return-on-investment, consider some common-sense metrics. Utilization of sick days decreases. The cost of healthcare shrinks. Reduced employee turnover saves on recruitment expenses. This objective data can be measured and tracked. Subjective data like morale and engagement are more difficult to quantify. But they are real.

It would be a mistake to view your work team, your closest interpersonal relationship, and your own growth and development as separate experiences. You are at the center of each of these universes and uniquely drive the wellness and vibe of each one. Your strengths dictate how well you interact with the environment (micro), your friends and family (mezzo), and your workplace culture (macro). Unfortunately (or fortunately), your personality glitches, poor coping skills under stress, and unresolved psychological issues have plenty of impact, too.

How are you? Really – not the ‘How ya doin’ that isn’t really a question but more of a greeting – but a genuine curiosity about how you’re actually coping these days. Have you been able to live day-to-day according to your values? Are your interactions with your family, friends, and colleagues meaningful? Are you growing? Are you navigating change – both the expected and unexpected kinds – with resilience?

It doesn’t take much of a physics lesson to understand how people share energy. Often, you can feel the vibe of a room within seconds of entering. Sometimes it’s just the space but, most of the time, it’s the people in the space. Emotions are contagious, positive or negative. You can lift or sink someone with a glance. And whether your energy-sharing partner is a friend or a stranger, you can be knocked off balance by imperceptible shifts in their mood.

Ask me about any of these books. I have read each one cover-to-cover at least once. Each one has influenced the way I think about leadership, teamwork, communication, and relationships. Who are the mentors in your library?

As much as we’d like to hit the ‘pause’ button every once in a while, change is always in play. You can plan a transition or wait for a change to happen to you. You can steer the direction or react to shifts in the ecosystem. These days, long-term strategic planning becomes obsolete before the ink is dry. More and more, teams are opting for short-cycle methods of keeping pace with the evolution of their industry. Consider this three-step process for managing constant change.

Everyone knows that struggle builds strength. But take a moment to think about the people in your life who have navigated adversity in their past and how they respond to current challenges. Whatever the circumstances, the usual story is that they are the calmest and most poised in a crisis when the proverbial shit hits the fan. They buckle down and keep moving forward.

Your job hunt has narrowed to two finalists. What kind of boss will bring out the best in you? You are ascending the ranks in your organization and are defining your leadership style. What is the best way to exude strength? Growing up, many of your role models achieved success by exerting control. However, you’ve noticed that they’ve paid a price in their interpersonal relationships. Are you willing to sacrifice friends, family, or professional connections to win whatever race you are running?

Midnight and noon both occur at 12:00. One is dark and the other is light. The Team Clock model sees the 12:00 moment as a liminal transition. When a relationship, team, or organization successfully navigates a period of change, they get to move from a state of depletion to a burst of energy. So, why is it so hard to break through? Why are so many teams willing to endure the pain of feeling stuck when the freedom of new circumstances offers relief? Often, the answer is fear.

Everything cycles. Depending on where your team is in the cycle, you might be reestablishing your foundation, building trust, preparing to innovate, or navigating change. What matters is where you are in the cycle. Reestablishing foundation requires clarity of goals. Building trust requires psychological safety. Innovation requires risk taking. Navigating change requires resilience. Wherever you are in the cycle, you’re always in the process of renewal.