Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Gavin Thornton, Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice

Share a transition experience you are a part of and what helped to make it positive and successful.

I’m in the process of leaving my current role as executive director of Hawaiʻi Appleseed, an organization working to advance economic justice.

As Appleseed’s first staff member 20 years ago, I long felt like my destiny and Appleseed’s were inextricably intertwined. But some years ago, I realized there would come a stage in the organization’s evolution when it would benefit from a new executive director, one with a different background, perspective, and set of talents. Earlier this year I came to a clear understanding that the time is now.

In the world of public policy, so much of what we do is driven by evidence, research, analysis, and reason. So it’s not surprising that in deciding whether now is the right time for a leadership transition, I’d turn to the data. The data says:

• We have the right staff, board, partners and supporters to carry forward the work.
• We have more clarity of purpose and better systems than ever.
• We have a solid financial cushion to absorb any bumps a transition might cause.   

While data’s voice resonates with me, there are other voices speaking: 

• Fear says: Maybe there’s no one else who will take on this role. 
• Ego goads: What if no one else can do this job as well?
• Guilt suggests: You’re abandoning the mission and the people who rely on you.
• Comfort argues: You know this work; something new will be riskier and harder.
• Doubt taunts: What if you don’t find another opportunity to contribute at this level? 

I’ve always yearned for data and reason to reveal “the right answer.” But when it comes to decisions of complexity involving people and society, data and reason alone rarely provide a loud, clear, and definitive answer. For that, we need to learn to rely on a still, small voice that is quieter, yet more powerful than all the others. Some call this intuition, but intuition feels too closely tied to instinct and self-preservation. I’m contemplating something more soulful and transcendent—something that speaks from the vastness of the universe and the interconnectedness of all life. For me, this voice is tied to my religion, though it need not be for others.

I’m not suggesting we abandon reason and make decisions by a Magic Eight Ball. After we’ve examined the facts, talked it through, dissected, tested, and analyzed, then we should listen for a voice that operates on the level of love, compassion, relationship, and purpose—the things that matter most, though they’re nearly impossible to quantify.

Perhaps because our society values measurement and scientific rigor, we tend to discount the importance of a spiritual voice in our personal decisions, and especially in decisions of societal import. I am inspired by leaders—often religious or indigenous leaders–who pay attention to this voice and allow it to guide their actions. We’d benefit from more leaders who breathe life, light, and love into cold, calculated decision-making.

Right now, this voice whispers to me that stepping aside creates space for fresh energy and new ideas to take root. It tells me that leadership is not about clinging to a position, but about knowing when to move forward and let others lead. And while the other voices speak of uncertainty and loss, this voice reassures me that the organization I’ve helped nurture will thrive in ways I cannot yet imagine.

Listening to this voice isn’t about having all the answers, but about trusting the path forward—even when it’s unclear. It’s about embracing the unknown with a sense of possibility for what the next chapter will bring.

Rachel Solemsaas, North Seattle College

What advice would you give someone going through a transition?

The quote by Jimmy Dean, “I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination,” is a powerful metaphor for adaptability and resilience in the face of opportunities and challenges. It encapsulates the idea that while we cannot control external forces or circumstances, we do have the power to control how we respond to them.

In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable world, adapting and thriving amid change is a hallmark of effective leadership. As a Fellow, leader, and change maker, I embrace the fact that leadership transition is essential to my being. I have come to accept that things rarely go exactly as planned. We may face unexpected difficulties, shifts in circumstances, or other challenges that disrupt our course. However, the key to success lies not in resisting these changes but in adjusting our approach to them.

My recent departure from Hawaiʻi Community College to continue my life’s work at North Seattle College represented another journey of change. This journey offered growth and learning despite moments of uncertainty and fear. It also reminded me of my blessing: a vast support network to carry me through.

They include support and guidance from family, friends, and colleagues. Further support is instilled by being part of the Omidyar Fellows, starting with the unconditional aloha offered by my cohort, with their gift of time and sage advice. One Fellow even referred me to a job opportunity. I also had the support of my leadership coach who instilled conscious leadership approaches to managing my feelings above the line and reminding me that I have the capacity to control my destiny.

Finally, I am honored to be part of the first HLF Transition Cohort. Under our executive coach’s guidance, we ventured through “Managing Oneself” with a deeper dive into who we are through the Birkman Method, sense-making of our journey with the Renewal Cycle and Change Cycle, and guidance with resilience life skills.

Jimmy Dean’s quote is a timeless reminder of the power of adaptability and perseverance. It teaches us that while we may not control every aspect of our lives, we do control our responses. By adjusting our sails—our strategies, attitudes, and actions—we can continue to move forward and reach our destinations regardless of the winds we encounter along the way.

If there is one piece of advice I still hold dearly during this journey, it is the reminder that things are happening for me rather than to me.