Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Hello, and welcome back from summer!
I find myself in a transition I’ve watched friends, family and colleagues go through, but am now experiencing firsthand: the empty nest. This fall, both of my kids are off at college, and while I’m incredibly proud and excited about the world opening up for them, the quiet at home is a stark reminder of how big a shift this is. The daily routines, mapping their schedules onto mine, the energy of having them around – even the deposits of shoes and dishes that follow in their wake – all of it has suddenly vanished.
I’m mindful, too, that the empty nest experience doesn’t just begin when children leave the home; it starts much earlier. In many ways, it begins on the first day of school, and continues as a child matures from toddler into young adult. It’s a long process of letting go, of grieving the lasts and celebrating the firsts…until one day the nest truly is empty.
Life is full of these turning points. Seasons change, careers take new directions, and people move on, leaving behind both gaps and opportunities. At work, when someone leaves a role, that can feel like an empty nest, too. There’s an absence and a disruption. It’s simply a reality of running a business or managing people, but it can create room for something fresh – a change of direction, new energy, and growth that would not have been possible otherwise.
Change typically comes with a certain amount of friction. A team adjusts to new responsibilities, a leader adapts to different expectations, or a company pivots in response to externalities. It takes time and intention to manage those transitions well. But when done thoughtfully, they can reinvigorate an organization and strengthen its culture, just as life’s transitions (even the little ones) can deepen our resilience and broaden our horizons.
Labor Day always feels like a natural reset point – a marker when many of us feel charged up and ready to take on new challenges. For me, this empty nest is that kind of reset (and a chance to take back my house). For businesses, it’s an opportunity to step back, take stock, and prepare for what’s ahead.
At KMA, we help organizations navigate transitions, whether it’s hiring the right people to fill a role, managing change in a way that keeps teams engaged, or planning compensation to support long-term goals. If you’re facing an empty nest moment in your business, or you find that you need additional support meeting organizational goals now that summer is behind us, reach out to me to explore how my team can help.
Warmly,
Kim Anania
President and CEO
KMA Human Resources Consulting
Bonus Read: Practical Steps for Successful Organizational Change