Caryn Lerman, Director of Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at Keck Medicine of USC, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Letting Go Doesn’t Start When You Leave a Position. It Starts Before.
I notified USC of my intention to step down as Cancer Center Director over a year ago. It’s still a few months before my successor will be in place and I can step down. But I already feel myself letting go.
It feels strange living between two worlds. Still trying to be fully present as director, while preparing for what’s next. Psilocybin research. Writing. Faculty mentoring.
Here’s what early letting go has looked like in practical terms: Delegating more. Releasing my grip on decisions. Identifying less with the title. Preparing my direct reports for the transition. Mentally shifting from ‘This is mine‘ to ‘This will be someone else’s soon.’
It’s hard. But if I’d waited until my last day to start letting go, the transition would be much more difficult—for me and for others.
Healthy letting go is gradual. It’s messy. It means holding space for grief and excitement at the same time. It means staying committed to finishing strong while already moving forward.
If you’re staying in a role too long because you can’t imagine letting go: Find new ways to be creative. Look for opportunities to learn and grow outside your current identity. Start building the next chapter before the current one ends.
The letting go process prepares you for what’s coming. Don’t wait to do it all at once.
How have you prepared for a major transition?”
More posts featuring Caryn Lerman.