Next Generation Leadership Blog

In Between

Written by DeEtta Jones | Aug 11, 2025 6:25:54 PM

There is a moment—sometimes it stretches for days, weeks, even months—when we find ourselves not quite where we were, and not yet where we’re going. A moment in between. 

That’s where I am right now. Not at the beginning. Not at the end. Just… here. 

 

It's not unlike standing between chapters of a beloved book. You’ve turned the page, left something behind—an identity, a role, a rhythm—and you haven’t yet been swept into the next arc. You pause. Take a breath. And try not to panic when the words haven’t yet filled in. 

 

“In between” feels both precious and disorienting. It’s like being on one of those illusion-floored boats in choppy water—nothing quite stable beneath your feet, but the horizon is mesmerizing. The views are glorious. The air is full of promise. Gratitude sits beside you, whispering, “Isn’t this miraculous?” And yet, your knees wobble. Your jaw clenches. You grip the rail because even beauty can feel overwhelming when the ground is uncertain. 

 

We don’t talk about this part enough. We celebrate the leap, and we glamorize the landing. But what about the arc in between? 

 

That space—after a restructure is announced, before we’ve rebuilt the team. After a trusted colleague has retired and before we have funding to fill their role. 

 

After we have taken a leap of faith to branch out professionally and before the rewards of our labor have materialized. 

 

This is the terrain of character development. The substance and nuance that makes the story worth reading—and living. 

 

So how do we navigate this place? 

 

We get still. We listen deeply. We resist the temptation to skip ahead. We remember that just because things aren’t moving fast doesn’t mean they’re not moving. We anchor ourselves in small truths: our values, our relationships, our breath. 

 

We practice presence, even when presence feels wobbly. 

 

We remind ourselves that in between is not a mistake—it’s a necessary part of becoming. 

We tend to what is here, now, not what was or what might be. 

 

And maybe most of all—we soften. We allow the vulnerability to teach us something about trust, about resilience, about letting go of linear timelines. 

 

Eventually, the next chapter will call. The momentum will return. The clarity, the outcomes, the triumphs—they’ll come. That part of the story always arrives. 

 

But today, I’m in between. And maybe you are too. 

If so, let’s be here together. Let’s honor the pause. Let’s share the view, even with shaking hands. 

 

Because this part matters. 

 

In between is also a space of learning and growth. 

 

It’s where momentum is built, new habits are formed, and clarity starts to take shape. If you’re ready to move forward with purpose—alongside others who are just as committed to growing as inclusive, future-ready leaders—join us this Fall for the Inclusive Manager’s Toolkit

 

A lot of us are in between right now, which is why we are offering a special discounted rate.  

 

This is your next step. Let’s take it together. 


Learn more and sign up here.