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This paper focuses on transition as an important concept in the current theories of change. In the Western thought, transition and change are concepts used interchangeably. Defined as transformations from one frozen state to another, they are perceived to be led and ‘owned’ by managers and leaders. In order to shed a new light on the concept of transition, we use the traditional Chinese thought interpreted by the French philosopher François Jullien who brings our attention to the potential of the situation beyond the human agency. Transitions are viewed as continuous and ubiquitous and not as step-wise processes limited between a starting and an ending point. In fact, this generic process is at the same time continuation and modification, and part of the natural evolution of life. Therefore, we advocate for pragmatic institutions in order to manage the transition periods as well as leaders ‘in shadow’ who do not ‘own’ the process of change and thus, can better accompany the transition periods without directly opposing the situation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]