TL;DR: Stepping into the deep water – have a few supporting first steps.
Inspiration: Ministry of Testing Bloggers Club August Challenge and My three step recipe for overcoming procrastination
Start with a Support System
The challenge of taking the first step into the unknown is not unique for IT workers. But it seems we want all challenges to have an unique and up to date solution. Often we forget to stand on the shoulders of others when it comes to people problems.
Beyond Jerry Weinberg I would recommend looking into:
- The Satir Change Model as described by Dhaval Panchal
- Zone of proximal development (ZPD) that highlights to focus the learner on what they can do with guidance
- Bloom’s taxonomy for classify educational learning objectives into levels of complexity and specificity
With these tools you can understand the challenge of the first steps of change. It’s still a challenge though.
To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.
Soren Kierkegaard, 1813-1855
A very simple story. When I go swimming in the sea at summer, it can be hard to get under water. But as soon as I’m under the water is actually quite nice. After having taken that first step – it’s the mind trick of resilience.
Move to Flow and Resilience
people with a high degree of resilience tend to prevail because they interpret setbacks as temporary, local, and changeable. When something is viewed in this way, it leaves us able to think: “It will go away sometime, it can be curbed, and I can do something about it.” This enables us to act. It is the mindset of the resilient leader. Resilient people are more willing to make decisions because they believe they have a real impact on their situation and are not afraid to influence it.
How to Lead When Your Team Is Exhausted — and You Are, Too
Resilience can be build most effectively with experience – things will sort themselves out in the end. And sometimes even a superhero needs help. Sometimes I need a friend to poke me to take the step into the deep end. That is equally supportive.
Complexity is a Matter of Perspective 
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