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Good Bye: Leading change better by attending to endings
Nobody likes to talk about endings. Here's why we need to.
Leaders spend a lot of time planning new initiatives. But what about the endings that go along with them? Most leaders are not taught how to manage themselves, let alone their teams and organization, through the messy, multifaceted discomfort of an ending. Making a team member redundant, merging two teams, cutting funding to a failed in all these situations we tend to focus on the new beginning, and rush past the ending that needs our care and attention. Dealing with endings well takes maturity and emotional intelligence. Leaders need to understand and process their own feelings before they can lead others through transition.
Why does this matter? Because poorly managed endings leave a scar on everyone involved. Discretionary energy and motivation are not so forthcoming. Change programmes don’t get traction, resistance and cynicism take root. Change fails.
Leading Executive Coaches Alison Lucas and Lizzie Bentley Bowers provide this missing piece of the change leadership a way of leading yourself and others through change in a respectful, emotionally agile way. Because better endings mean better beginnings.
Leaders spend a lot of time planning new initiatives. But what about the endings that go along with them? Most leaders are not taught how to manage themselves, let alone their teams and organization, through the messy, multifaceted discomfort of an ending. Making a team member redundant, merging two teams, cutting funding to a failed in all these situations we tend to focus on the new beginning, and rush past the ending that needs our care and attention. Dealing with endings well takes maturity and emotional intelligence. Leaders need to understand and process their own feelings before they can lead others through transition.
Why does this matter? Because poorly managed endings leave a scar on everyone involved. Discretionary energy and motivation are not so forthcoming. Change programmes don’t get traction, resistance and cynicism take root. Change fails.
Leading Executive Coaches Alison Lucas and Lizzie Bentley Bowers provide this missing piece of the change leadership a way of leading yourself and others through change in a respectful, emotionally agile way. Because better endings mean better beginnings.
210 pages, Hardcover
Published April 29, 2025
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7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 16, 2025
Book Review: Good Bye: Leading Change Better by Attending to Endings by Lizzie Bentley Bowers & Alison Lucas
A Refreshing Take on Change Leadership Through the Lens of Endings
In Good Bye, executive coaches Lizzie Bentley Bowers and Alison Lucas tackle a rarely discussed yet critical aspect of leadership: the art of navigating endings. While most change-management literature focuses on beginnings and transitions, this book argues that honoring closures—whether of projects, roles, or eras—is key to sustainable transformation. Blending psychological insight with practical frameworks, the authors offer a compassionate guide for leaders seeking to foster resilience and clarity in their teams.
Key Strengths
-Unique Perspective: The book fills a glaring gap in leadership literature by addressing the emotional and strategic weight of endings, a theme often overlooked in favor of “new beginnings.”
-Actionable Tools: Structured reflection exercises, case studies, and conversational prompts make this a hands-on resource for coaches and leaders alike.
-Human-Centric Approach: The authors emphasize empathy, acknowledging the grief, uncertainty, and growth that accompany endings. Their tone is both authoritative and nurturing.
Potential Considerations
-Niche Audience: While invaluable for organizational leaders and coaches, the focus on endings may feel overly specialized for general readers.
-Theoretical Balance: Some sections lean heavily on psychological theory; practitioners seeking quick tactical advice might crave more streamlined takeaways.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Concept: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A groundbreaking lens on change leadership.
-Practicality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Rich tools, though occasionally dense.
-Prose: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Clear and engaging, with moments of warmth.
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A rare focus on endings as catalysts.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – Like a compass for the uncharted terrain of closure—wise, timely, and deeply human.
Ideal Audience
-Executives and managers navigating organizational change.
-Coaches and HR professionals supporting transitions.
-Readers tired of superficial “resilience” advice and craving depth.
Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Alison Lucas & Lizzie Bentley Bowers for the advance review copy. Good Bye is a vital addition to the leadership canon, reminding us that endings, when honored, become the soil for new beginnings.
Final Verdict
Bowers and Lucas redefine change leadership by turning our attention to what we often rush past: the power of purposeful endings. This book doesn’t just equip leaders—it heals them. A must-read for those ready to lead with both courage and tenderness.
Note: This review reflects the ARC edition; minor changes may appear in the final publication.
A Refreshing Take on Change Leadership Through the Lens of Endings
In Good Bye, executive coaches Lizzie Bentley Bowers and Alison Lucas tackle a rarely discussed yet critical aspect of leadership: the art of navigating endings. While most change-management literature focuses on beginnings and transitions, this book argues that honoring closures—whether of projects, roles, or eras—is key to sustainable transformation. Blending psychological insight with practical frameworks, the authors offer a compassionate guide for leaders seeking to foster resilience and clarity in their teams.
Key Strengths
-Unique Perspective: The book fills a glaring gap in leadership literature by addressing the emotional and strategic weight of endings, a theme often overlooked in favor of “new beginnings.”
-Actionable Tools: Structured reflection exercises, case studies, and conversational prompts make this a hands-on resource for coaches and leaders alike.
-Human-Centric Approach: The authors emphasize empathy, acknowledging the grief, uncertainty, and growth that accompany endings. Their tone is both authoritative and nurturing.
Potential Considerations
-Niche Audience: While invaluable for organizational leaders and coaches, the focus on endings may feel overly specialized for general readers.
-Theoretical Balance: Some sections lean heavily on psychological theory; practitioners seeking quick tactical advice might crave more streamlined takeaways.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Concept: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A groundbreaking lens on change leadership.
-Practicality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Rich tools, though occasionally dense.
-Prose: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Clear and engaging, with moments of warmth.
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A rare focus on endings as catalysts.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – Like a compass for the uncharted terrain of closure—wise, timely, and deeply human.
Ideal Audience
-Executives and managers navigating organizational change.
-Coaches and HR professionals supporting transitions.
-Readers tired of superficial “resilience” advice and craving depth.
Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Alison Lucas & Lizzie Bentley Bowers for the advance review copy. Good Bye is a vital addition to the leadership canon, reminding us that endings, when honored, become the soil for new beginnings.
Final Verdict
Bowers and Lucas redefine change leadership by turning our attention to what we often rush past: the power of purposeful endings. This book doesn’t just equip leaders—it heals them. A must-read for those ready to lead with both courage and tenderness.
Note: This review reflects the ARC edition; minor changes may appear in the final publication.
July 8, 2025
Good focus on Endings in the workplace which are all too often forgotten, not planned or avoided. Also introduces robust REAR framework which has multiple uses
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews