Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM NOVEMBER 2026 24 T he simplest definition of threshold is a simple point of entrance or beginning, and often we think literally of a doorway or sill that separates inside from outside. Thresholds can be ritualistic or symbolic, too. We carry brides over them, we step up to them with courage, our eyes on the distant horizon. There are many thresholds in organizations and in leadership: places we need to cross over, things we need to leave behind, changes we need to embrace for our bright and promising futures. Most of my coaching clients are on some sort of threshold – something over which they must cross to expand or grow or change. This is often the impetus to seek help or realize that it's a good idea to gain a trusted advisor or confidant to offer assistance, guidance, or help. There may be an inkling or longing, perhaps even a divine discontent, that calls you to imagine that where you are currently standing is not for long, not sustainable, and you must look toward the future of what's possible. Good leaders typically have one foot planted in the current situation of their organization or business – they have an awareness and presence for what's going on – and yet their eyes are fixed on the horizon, on the close and distant future. A leader without vision cannot thrive, and a leader who is completely detached from the present cannot be entirely effective either. It's a bit unsettling to straddle this space. How do you know if you are on a threshold, and what is required of you to actually cross over it? • You may have a sense of fear or anxiety. I think when we stand at that in-between state, we feel the sense of anticipation, longing, fear, and excitement about what might happen once we cross over the threshold, once we take action for the new future toward the horizon. Sometimes we may logically weigh risks and benefits; often we may seek to trust our intuition or gut feelings about this threshold to cross. One thing we know for certain: there will be thresholds. There will be times when we need to "let go of the solid ground beneath our feet/ the ground we grew to trust and take for granted" in order to move toward that beckoning horizon. • You may feel a pull of longing for what's next. Often, in the first inklings of a threshold, we can't really put our finger on what's on that distant horizon, what the opportunity actually is, and especially how to get there. But there is a sense that there is something more, something else, something over there that calls to us. This is different, I think, from a general dissatisfaction or notion that the grass is greener, but rather that crossing the threshold toward the horizon is the place you must go – there is a conviction in it beyond the paralysis that can happen when we feel like we are trying to make a "good" decision. • You may feel a sense of excitement about the future. Crossing thresholds doesn't always have to feel like you're stepping off a cliff or jumping into the abyss. If you're deeply listening to yourself, you know it's time, and you have an excitement and anticipation about what the future might hold, despite its potential dangers, failures, or detours. There are no guarantees, and only you can make the decision about when and how to cross over. Make no mistake, everything will be different once you cross over. You've entered new territory. November is a good time to talk about the threshold of the year to come. Reach out so we can talk about the invitation to which you want to respond. From "Diving In," by Libby Wagner THRESHOLDS: YOUR INTUITION AND THE HORIZON Libby Wagner Culture Coach Libby Wagner, author of The Influencing Option: The Art of Building a Profit Culture in Business, works with clients to help them create and sustain profit cultures. www.libbywagner.com RO

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