Systems often absorb pressure for years before something gives way. Then suddenly, what was once immovable shifts. These are windows of change - moments when constraints loosen and new possibilities appear. They can open after a crisis, a leadership transition, or even a quiet accumulation of frustration. What matters is recognising that a window has opened before it closes again.
Transformation researchers describe this as the release–reorganisation phase of the adaptive cycle: when structures that once kept things stable start to dissolve, releasing energy and creativity for renewal. In these moments, small actions can have outsized effects because the system is fluid and searching for new coherence. Many miss the chance because they focus on restoring the old order instead of shaping the next one.
The art is to stay alert to subtle signals: new alliances forming, fresh narratives emerging, small experiments taking hold. Preparing for transformation means cultivating relationships and ideas before they’re needed so they’re ready when opportunity arrives. When the window opens, those prepared can move decisively and collectively.
Something to chew on:
What patterns or conversations hint that your system might be ready for reorganisation and who would you trust to step through that window with you?
Resilience Bites offers weekly insights from the Australian Resilience Centre, drawn from decades of work alongside communities across Australia and internationally. Each Bite explores an aspect of resilience and closes with a reflective question to chew on.
Across the series we'll explore themes that shape resilience in practice, including place, patterns, networks, leadership, learning, feedbacks, thresholds and the deeper work of change.
This series is for people working in communities, landscapes, systems and change. It will help you learn key resilience concepts, apply them in practice and build our collective capacity to create resilient futures.
To learn more about the Australian Resilience Centre and explore our work and services, please visit https://www.ausresilience.com.au/
To read published Bites, please visit https://resiliencebites.ausresilience.com.au/
