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Navigating Change: Embracing Strengths for a New Chapter

Thriving Mission

By Brenda Kresky, David Fremo, and Sam Rahberg


On October 8, a committed group of individuals gathered at the Church of Saint Joseph in Saint Joseph, Minnesota, to explore how we navigate change with the benefit of our unique strengths. Facilitated by the Bridge Builders’ team of CliftonStrengths coaches (Brenda Kresky, Diocese of St. Cloud; David Fremo, Catholic Community Schools; and Sam Rahberg, Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary), this interactive workshop delved deep into the conceptual and practical challenges of embracing change—especially when circumstances feel uncertain, relationships are strained, or our sense of identity feels threatened. With a mix of reflective exercises, collaborative activities, and personal storytelling, participants left not only with new insights but also actionable strategies to lead change in their respective communities.


Reframing the Narrative

The day kicked off with a simple yet powerful question: What stories are we telling ourselves about change? Often, we approach change with a default narrative of fear, anxiety, or resistance. This is understandable, especially when change feels sudden or unwanted. As one facilitator shared, however, through the “Thomas theorem”—the idea that if people perceive a situation as real it becomes real in its consequences—our mindset shapes our experience of change. The workshop encouraged participants to reframe their perspective: to see change not as a threat but as an opportunity for growth, learning, and collaboration.


In one memorable exercise, participants were asked to complete a “Mad Lib” about change. It was an imaginative and playful way to reflect on how we relate to change and what elements of surprise or adventure we may not be recognizing. This exercise opened the floor to deeper conversations about how each of us, shaped by our strengths, can approach change with curiosity and resilience.


Increasing Engagement

We began by unpacking “engagement” as a willingness to invest our time, attention, and energy into something, others, or ourselves. Chip and Dan Heath’s book Make it Stick provided inspiration for practices that help increase our awareness and mindfulness of others, focusing on the common language of CliftonStrengths. We explored ways to improve engagement in communication and the framing of situations where utilizing Strengths can solve problems and accomplish goals. We reflected on how our assumptions about the nature of change impacts our engagement and what we might do to challenge and shift our mindsets.  Finally, in small group discussions we processed our learning with some case studies of real-life situations faced in ministry settings.


Practicing Collaboration

Collaboration with others is important when it comes to change. Collaborations can create sustainable solutions, build stronger communities, and help overcome resistance to change. Collaborative partnerships depend on interdependent relationships. Complementary strengths-based partnerships are fundamental. Team members that thrive on the interdependent relationship maximize the collective strength of the team. The key to achieving success is not trying to be someone else, to discover your own strengths, to recognize your less dominant talents, and to understand how someone else’s abilities complement your own.


Articulating the team’s collective talents, leveraging and applying the strengths of each member, allows deeper creativity, understanding, and engagement.


Blessing

The day ended with a blessing for change, a moment of tangible connection and energy, made even more powerful by a simple experiment. Participants formed a circle, and when everyone was connected, a current lit up a wand—symbolizing the energy that flows when we come together with intention. As participants reflected on the insights gained, there was a palpable sense of hope. Equipped with new strategies for self-awareness, appreciation of those around them, and tools for collaboration, they left ready to navigate change more gracefully.



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