Turning transitions into transformations

There's only one constant in this world, and that's change.

In his book "Life Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age," Bruce Feiler's research showed a major life change happens to us, on average, every 12 to 18 months. With that sort of frequency, you'd think we might be better suited to handling change. But even when we're planning for a transition or want something different — such as having a baby, moving to a new city, or finding a new job — change is difficult for everyone. 

Veterans face one of the most significant changes of all when they transition to civilian life. In the military, they work in a hierarchical environment with a clear chain of command and always function as part of a team. This bond creates a strong sense of community and purpose that is hard to replicate in life after service.

Adjusting to the workforce is no easy task. Despite the strong leadership and problem-solving skills veterans have, both employers and veterans need guidance and an understanding of how skills translate to a non-military business context. According to the Ministry of Defence, 79% of veterans agree that support for translating military skills to civilian equivalents is important for a successful transition to the workforce.

A BetterUp pilot program supported veterans in the UK and US as they transitioned to civilian life.

Prior to the start of the program, service members completed BetterUp's Whole Person Assessment™ to identify their strengths, growth opportunities, and goals. We learned:

• 58% of service members cared most about career development.
• They wanted to strengthen communication skills, resilience, self-compassion, and focus.

Through 1:1 coaching, access to specialized coaches, and a library of BetterUp resources, service members received support and guidance to navigate change. Working with a coach helped provide clarity about the life transition and equipped veterans tools and strategies to thrive in non-military environments. 

"I developed a personal brand, identified my strengths and weaknesses, and thought about how to use my strengths to improve my weaknesses. I pursued a new role that aligns with my personal brand."                                                                     - Pilot member

Veterans become empowered civilians with BetterUp

Additionally, both service members and coaches noticed sizable shifts in their levels of optimism, hope, purpose and meaning, and confidence related to their transition.

"This has been an extremely valuable and enhancing experience. I'm more excited than ever about my transition from military to civilian."                                - Pilot member

When we have a plan and steps to achieve it, changes don't feel as daunting. Through coaching, people can thrive and transform during transitional periods.

"I love that I leave our sessions with new insights about myself and with practical actions I can take to improve my well-being."                                                                                                                                - Pilot member

Personal transformation benefits organizational health, too. Service members leaving active duty are just one example of transformation during transition. Their growth and empowerment applies to individuals across all walks of life.