- Change is Inevitable - David Reece
Change impacts many different aspects of life, from subtle alterations to sweeping transformations and everything in between. It can be as small as construction work temporarily changing a person’s route to work, or as life-altering as a job loss.
Either way, the result is the same: one must adapt and figure out how to handle their new reality. With the right mindset, an impending change does not have to be completely disruptive to a person’s life.
In the workplace, change is constant and can be one of the most unsettling and challenging aspects of the job. There are a few crucial things one should do to manage change: accept it, communicate with those involved to understand the reasons behind the change, and adapt. The faster a person can do that, the faster they will acclimate and regain control of their life.
Accept the Change
Change is not synonymous with the words awful and unpleasant. In fact, it is more often than not implemented to make things better. However, that knowledge doesn’t stop people from feeling hesitant or fearful at even the slightest suggestion of change. After all, things will no longer be as they always have been - an uncomfortable thought for many.
The initial reaction might be to refuse to accept it, but it’s important to resist that temptation. Change will occur whether a person is prepared or not, so it’s best to get on board. Create a plan and start of list of actions to implement the change, or in some cases, deal with its after-effects. The more prepared a person is, the easier the transition will be.
Understand Reasons for Change
Another important step in dealing with change is to understand why it is occurring and how it will affect those involved.
Being hesitant to jump into a transition can stem from a feeling of powerlessness. Though change oftentimes carries with it uncomfortable results (most of which are out of one’s control), moving on and embracing it is the best medicine for the proverbial growing pains brought on by change.
Some situations, such as being laid off from a position, can be more difficult to grasp than others. For instance, a new process being put in place to increase productivity would help streamline business operations; there is very little risk of negative effects. Layoffs, however, would significantly impact both the separated employee as well as the employees left behind. This type of change is more difficult to accept.
All a person can do is take some time to deal with the change and sort out the associated emotions, and then turn their attention to the future. They must meet the change head-on and implement the plan they’ve created to start dealing with the new situation.
Communicate and Lean on Others to Navigate the Transition
In most instances, there are multiple people affected by change, not just a single person. From personal connections in one’s life to coworkers in the workplace, there will most likely be someone else dealing with a similar transition.
It’s important to talk to managers, colleagues, friends and family members to gain insights, explanations and support. This will help alleviate the fear that stems from a lack of information and will also allow people to realize they are not alone. Leaning on others to brainstorm a plan of attack can be very helpful when it comes to working through a transition.
Be Adaptable
It is unrealistic to assume that things will always stay the same. Without growth, movement and new ideas, no company would be able to stay afloat. The state of the economy, demand for a company’s product or service, and other outside influences all necessitate change in order to meet clients’ needs and business goals.
Given this fact, adapting to changing circumstances is crucial. Even when a change is ultimately positive, there is still a certain amount of uneasiness in changing one’s habits and becoming comfortable with the new reality.
Whether change is positive or negative, planned or unexpected, it is necessary to accept it, learn as much as possible about the circumstances and its effects, and adapt to it. Change is inevitable, so it’s imperative to follow an effective process to manage the transition.
Christine Mosnik - In my current position with a Human Resource Consulting firm, I write job-related articles for newsletters that reach both candidates and ...
