Lauren Semper Scott, Ph.D. - Navigating Transitions

“Change is situational: the new site, the new boss, the new team roles, the new policy. Transition is the psychological process people go through to come to terms with the new situation. Change is external; transition is internal.” William Bridges (1991)

This session is designed to help individuals and teams identify some of the emotions, behaviors, and challenges that present during the transitions from the former to the future.  Planned activities can help us identify where we are in the process and learn how to cope in meaningful ways, and build the skills to lean into the future possibilities. 

The activities in the session are geared to team members at every level of the organization because the one thing we have in common is that we are all human and will each be affected by the change(s) in some way. Through conversation, reflection, and engagement with the activities, participants will learn more about themselves and each other while also identifying how to leverage the individual and collective strengths of the organization.

Goals:

• Develop and strengthen capacity to navigate the transitions associated with change, planned or unplanned
• Raise awareness of the phases, emotions, and behaviors associated with change and transitions
• Leverage existing team strengths to encourage adaptability and problem-solving
• Build resilience individually and collectively 

Change Cycle Overview (all participants):  The Change Management Cycle Overview

LinkedIn Learning Videos (all employees):

• The Psychology of Change (2 mins)
• Effects of Change on Individuals (3 mins)
• Change, Loss, and Grief (2:25 mins)

Biography

Dr. Scott is an instructional designer and curriculum developer by training and academic practice. Through her work designing learning experiences for organizations, she became a certified John Maxwell speaker, facilitator, and coach member with the Maxwell Leadership Team.  Lauren has over 20 years of workforce development experience, including tactical and strategic initiatives in various industries, including healthcare, K-12 education, higher education, and financial services.

Lauren is a seasoned management consultant specializing in leadership development at all levels of the organization, employee performance, and coaching. Lauren’s work is grounded in a diverse portfolio of learning and development initiatives to support performance improvement and performance management.

Dr. Scott is an advocate for coaching and has had the privilege of working with an executive coach for almost 10 years.    Sensitive to organizational culture and the impact of factors such as language, actions, and processes on organizational success, Lauren uses proven change management tools and techniques to assist individuals and organizations with business process improvement, change management, business building, and organization transformation.

Lauren is a skilled facilitator and presenter who has presented at national conferences, including COMTO (Conference of Minority Transit Officers), APTA (American Public Transportation Association) annual meeting, and the National Assistant Principal Leadership Conference. 

Education

Ph. D. Educational Administration 

American University, Washington, DC

Major:  Organizational theory, management, & behavior

MA, Human Resource Development

George Washington University, Washington, DC

Major: Adult education; training & development

BA, Language & Linguistics

University of the West Indies, Trinidad, WI

Major: French language, Spanish language, Linguistics