How we engage change personally can make a huge
difference – and I'm convinced we can have greater success on a individual
level if we follow a few simple practices, such as:
1.
Stay Involved: Whether we're a high-profile superstar
or an unsung hero, the work we do contributes to a common good. If we back off
in the face of change, important connections and communication lines start to
fade away. Instead of withdrawing, refocus and think "excellence." In
every aspect of your job, ask yourself, "If someone else were looking at
my work, would they consider it to be excellent?"
Aside from an internal attitude of staying involved,
we can also join a committee or a project team. Our purpose should be to stay
plugged into the projects occurring throughout our organization.
2.
Keep an Eye on the Big Picture: Since our workplace
is more than just our own workstation, we can look at how change is occurring
at all levels. Even the picture outside the organization needs to be
considered: global markets are expanding, technology is
improving, budgets are getting tighter, and consumers are better-informed and
more involved than ever before.
We must also keep an eye on changes in our
individual industries. To could be involved by staying active in professional
associations, reading industry journals, attending conferences, and even
surfing the Internet for industry news.
Also, our company's long-term goals (including Vision
and Mission statements) should directly influence how we interpret what we see
happening around us.
3.
Talk and Listen: We will better be able to interpret the
events around us if we stay in tune with others about what's going on. This
means not only talking with others about what we're seeing, but seeking out and
considering their observations, too.
Not only can we can learn from others in our work
area, but also from people in other parts of the company—or even from outside
the company. Ask people their perspective of how recent changes are affecting
their work and how they're dealing with the obstacles.
4
Look for Ways to Be of Value: As I've said many
times before, solving problems is part of every job. Therefore, since change
always brings new problems, we must resolve to be part of the solution.
Think of it this way: It's one thing to identify a
problem, it's something else to solve it.
Most leadership development programs have
self-awareness as a foundational starting point. That practice is equally valid
in the face of change. Knowing our strengths and weaknesses gives us a better
idea of how to adapt as needed.
For example: Conduct a personal SWOT Analysis.
Compare your strengths and weaknesses with the opportunities and threats that
accompany any change. Then decide how to capitalize on your strengths and what
needs to be shored up on your weaknesses to take advantage of opportunities and
also minimize any threats.
5.
Be Flexible: Look for ways to blend changes into
your normal routine. Think in terms of creating new traditions, or new systems.
Naturally, we need to maintain efficiency and
effectiveness, but flexibility allows us to roll with the changes instead of
slam up against them. We can be flexible in our attitude and our responsibilities.
One person I know put it like this: "Be keen on finding efficient ways for
adapting to new realities."
6 Learn From Your Network:
Since our network of contacts are probably facing similar changes, they serve
as a sounding board as well as a safety net. Former classmates, former
co-workers, people you know who have "been there" are all people from
whom we can learn. I like the Benjamin Franklin quote, "If we don't hang
together, we're going to hang separately."
From a purely pragmatic standpoint, we should gather
details about change so we can determine how it affects us.
Bottom line: How we approach change affects its
impact on us. We can work to accommodate it, or we might get flattened as it
rolls over us. As always, what we do is a choice.
Copyright ©
Dan Bobinski, used with permission
