When leaders offer their vision of a new future, they recognize that the change required comes with inherent challenges. They recognize that a certain level of stress is healthy and necessary for change to occur. However, they also know that people can't — or won't — learn new ways of doing things if they are feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

To help motivate people without immobilizing them, create a holding environment — a "safe" organizational space in which the conflicts, emotions, and stresses related to the change associated with your vision can be worked out.

In the early stages of implementing a vision, a leader may establish a holding environment for the team to talk openly about the initial challenges, to frame and debate issues, and to clarify assumptions. Over time, the scope of the issues discussed will likely broaden.