This past month Leoni and I, RainTree’s leadership team, were tested by a wave of personal, health, and work challenges. Our team was subsequently forced to fly (mostly) solo.  It reminded us of something simple but powerful: strong systems create stability — and flexible systems keep it.

When we started RainTree, our goal was to empower clients to step into their leadership and elevate their businesses. From the beginning, we knew that creating real impact would mean growing a strong, aligned team.

We focused on creating structures that empower our coaching team to bring their unique strengths forward, while upholding RainTree’s high standards.

Quality has always been non-negotiable — coaching that doesn’t drive performance and business results was never an option.

Over this past month, Leoni and I were grateful for the systems, insights, and people that helped us steady the ship and continue showing up for our clients.

Here’s what we’ve learned (again) about how to reset and redirect when things get sticky!

When Systems Get Sticky: 3 Steps to Reset and Redirect!

1. Pause When It’s Not Flowing

At RainTree, we say: “If it’s sticky, stop and find a different way.”  

Last week, I experienced this with a client as well. She’s preparing for maternity leave, supported by a team she values deeply — but the handover process has stalled. In coaching, rather than push through the resistance, she paused to explore it. That’s when she realised: the original plan needed to shift!

Whether you’re leading a team or handing over work before a period of leave, resistance is often a signal — not a failure. Stopping to reflect can reveal the real issue.

2. Check What’s Changed

Systems that worked six months ago might not fit now.

Question and explore:

— Has the environment shifted?

— Have your team’s needs evolved?

I supported our client to unpack her stalled handover plan in preparation for maternity leave. She soon realized that her original structure no longer supported the business’s new demands.

A deeper understanding and insight followed quickly — and so did a better approach!

3. Stay Open to the Small Shift

Change doesn’t have to be big to be effective. In our case, tweaks to how our team operated gave them the autonomy to fly solo while we navigated personal challenges. A small intentional shift can unlock flow, resilience, and results.

In our continued experience, Leoni and I have come to respect a few key truths:

      — Strong systems create stability — especially in fast-growing businesses facing     

       unexpected complexity.

       — Stickiness is a signal, not a failure.

       — Environments shift and evolve — systems need to, too.

       — Change is hard but even small changes can unlock big flow.

When life gets sticky, don’t push harder. Pause. Rethink. Shift.

Which systems feel sticky or outdated in your business?