It’s a cliché, I know, but this old dog thought she knew it all – or at least, enough to hit the ground running. This change, I thought, is going to be a piece of cake. Sure, I’ve moved from government to consulting, but just how different can it be?
This week, I realized how deeply in denial I was. As I found myself struggling to switch my writers’ brain from policy-wonk to insightful-consultant-speak, I saw for the first time that I had truly become the Poster Child for an employee in Change Crisis.
Change is hard!
Thankfully, I have lived a life full of change, and have learned at least to trust my ability – albeit sometimes a little slow – to adjust, adapt, and grow through the experience. I also have learned to turn to those around me for help. And again, thankfully, I have landed in a place where help is readily available.
And I guess I have learned, too, that I am human. I am, in fact, smack dab in the middle of a huge learning curve. I don’t think I’m done yet with the occasional sleepless night – but as Katherine Hepburn once said, “the day I stop being nervous about doing well is the day I’ve stopped caring about being the best I can be.”
I hope that day never comes.
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About Lea Werthman
Joining Hill & Knowlton in 2007, Lea brings a solid background of close to 30 years in public relations and communications. As a professor, coach and senior advisor, Lea is well-versed in effective strategic communications practices, specifically internal communications, strategic communications planning, key messaging, stakeholder management, issue management and change management communications.
Before joining Hill & Knowlton, Lea spent seven years in the federal government, most recently at Service Canada in the corporate communications group. Prior to that, Lea supported organizational change at Public Works and Government Services Canada, focusing on employee and industry communications, and client relationship management.
Previously, Lea was Director of Communications for Careerbridge Corporation, helping to launch a new online recruiting tool to the Ottawa market. At Ottawa Ballet, Lea led tour communications and fundraising, securing a corporate sponsorship to build a new street-level studio. Lea also has taught in Algonquin College’s Public Relations Program since 1991, with a specialization in public opinion research, writing for PR, and public relations theory.
Lea holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Carleton University, as well as a Diploma in Public Relations from Algonquin College. She has certificates in multimedia production, marketing, film and television scriptwriting.