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👨‍🏫 Change is the only Constant.

You’ve probably heard this phrase before. The original attribution goes to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who saw the universe as ever-changing, always in flux.

If we accept this truth, then seeking an unchanging environment is futile.

Yet, so many of us do exactly that! We try to escape the chaos that change brings.

The Wrong and Right Questions

In your career, the question should never be:
"How can I avoid change and find a perfectly stable job?"

Instead, the only question that matters is:
"Since change will always find me, how will I react?"

Lean into Change

Leaning into change is a leadership mindset.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a technical program manager, which means you don’t just experience change, you drive it.

And being a leader who can embrace and execute impactful change is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.

Change is where opportunity exists.
Change is where work gets interesting.
Change is where you grow.

I know this might sound cliché. But embracing change isn’t just a mindset: it’s a strategy that has shaped my career. Here’s what I mean.

Let me give you a few examples from my life.

Example 1: Elon Musk takeover of Twitter

I was at Twitter during the Elon Musk acquisition.

No matter your opinion on that event, it was an extreme test of leadership under change (made even more intense by its high public visibility).

I was fascinated by what was unfolding internally. Not because it was easy, but because I had a front-row seat to leadership under pressure.

• I saw how leaders from every function responded to uncertainty.

• I had to keep contributors engaged in a high-stakes data privacy program that needed to continue—no matter what.

• I built new levels of resilience and empathy as we navigated the turmoil together.

Many people chose to leave, and I don’t judge their choices. But I made a calculated decision to stay through the transition. And because of that, I’m convinced that I walked away better than I was before the whole things went down: a better technical program manager, a better professional, and a better human.

Example 2: IBM Acquisition of HashiCorp

For the past year, IBM has been in hot pursuit of acquiring HashiCorp. The deal finally closed a few weeks ago.

Has there been change? Oh, absolutely.

• Major leadership changes have left many wondering about executive sponsorship for critical programs.

• Process overhauls have forced us to rethink how we work.

• Cultural shifts have brought difficult conversations to the surface.

The company I joined two years ago is not the same today. But that’s okay.

Because I’m not just a participant in my career. I’m a curious observer as well. I like to think of myself having a dual role of both actor and spectator of the great play of my life.

I know even more change is coming over the next 18–24 months. And while some of it will be difficult, I also know it will ultimately do more good for me than harm…but only if I embrace it.

Don’t quite because change is hard

If you’re going through a stressful change right now, I get it. It’s tempting to jump ship for something that looks more stable.

But don’t make that decision hastily.

No matter where you go, change will follow you.

Don’t quit just because change is hard.
Don’t quit because you want an easy job. (easy is boring!)

That said, there are valid reasons to leave after major change, such as:

• The change demands too much of you—to the point where it harms your health, family, or personal priorities.

• The change removes your long-term career incentives—meaning the company and your goals are no longer aligned.

• The change alters your market value—and you’re no longer being compensated fairly for your skills.

But do you notice a theme in these? Each of these reasons is about alignment, not avoidance.

Quitting just to escape change? Not worth it.

Recap

If you forget everything else, remember this:

• Change is the only constant.

• True leaders embrace and lead through change.

• Make change work for you.

• Don’t quit just because change is hard.

To all my fellow TPMs out there: lean in. Be the leader through the change. The best opportunities come from the hardest changes.