Transitions in Work: Navigating the Age of AI
Work has always been a place of change. New tools, shifting industries, and evolving expectations have shaped how we show up and contribute. But artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be taking the workplace (and world) by storm. For many it feels disruptive and even scary, for others it feels full of possibility.
For many people, AI represents both opportunity and uncertainty. It promises efficiency, creativity, and whole new ways of working. At the same time, it stirs questions about job security, identity, and the value of human contribution. William Bridges’ framework of Endings, the Neutral Zone, and New Beginnings gives us a helpful way to process this season of workplace transition.
The Ending: Letting Go of “How Work Has Always Been”
The first stage of transition is recognizing what’s ending. In the context of AI, this might mean letting go of the comfort of familiar processes. Tasks we once did manually are now automated. Skills that defined a role may no longer be necessary.
This can feel unsettling. It’s natural to feel concerns about this loss of predictability or to feel resistance when a role you’ve mastered suddenly changes shape.
The Neutral Zone: Living in the Uncertainty
After endings comes the in between space, the Neutral Zone. In the context of AI, this might mean we see the changes unfolding but don’t yet know what they mean for the future of our work.
In the Neutral Zone, patience is important. This is a time to explore your questions and curiosities: Will my job still be needed? What role will humans play in a workplace increasingly shaped by machines? It’s easy to feel anxious, but this space also invites creativity. It’s a time to experiment, learn, and discover how to engage new technology.
The New Beginning: Redefining Work with AI
Eventually, new beginnings emerge. In the case of AI, this means finding ways to integrate technology into our work that honor both innovation and humanity, creativity, and heart. The new beginning is about reimagining our identity at work. It’s about shifting from “this is how I’ve always done it” to “this is how I can grow.” For some, this might mean embracing continuous learning or finding new roles that didn’t exist a decade ago. For others, it may mean discovering how to use AI to enhance their unique gifts rather than diminish them.
Closing Thoughts
The rise of AI reminds us that transitions in work are not just about technology, they are about people. They touch our sense of worth, our identity, and our future. By walking through the stages of ending, the Neutral Zone, and new beginnings, we can face these changes with both honesty and hope.
While the future of work may look different than the past, the core of what we bring, our humanity, remains essential and most important.
An Invitation for Reflection
If you are navigating changes in your work, take a few moments to reflect:
What familiar ways of working do I need to grieve or release?
How might I use this in-between time to experiment, learn, or adapt?
What opportunities could a new beginning hold for me in my work?