You must have a plan for the orphans

Change happens.
It is inevitable.
If you’re in leadership then you need to make decisions which effect others.

Any time you decide to change something, the consequences will create orphans.

Some won’t want to adapt to the change.
Others won’t be able to, completely beyond their control, transition to the new paradigm.

However they are made, some will become orphans since they will be left out.

These leftovers of a decision to change - be it a philosophical, geographical or chronological change - must still be catered to.

Why?

Because the orphans of any decision still matter.

Chances are, to some extent, they had buy-in to the activity they were involved in. They had a history. They probably envisaged a future.

Change, even a well-thought-out positive change, rocks the world of the orphans it creates.

And, if there is no plan for those adversely effected, then the message communicated to them is either... 

You don’t matter. 
Or...
There were winners and losers. You’re the later.

So, how is this avoided?

The answer is simple.

Have a plan for the orphans.

Even if that plan is to simply sit down with each person and explain why you reached the decision you did. 

This is far better than just an announcement.

Better yet, actually have an alternative for those orphaned by your change.
This shows that they still matter and there are no losers.