How to Deal with Change
By leadership author and keynote speaker Ross Shafer
Are you good at dealing with change? You’re not? I’ll make you feel better. The number one reason companies hire me is to help their teams deal with change…because a merger or acquisition is disruptive. A change in management is disruptive. Too often, team members don’t know what their jobs are anymore…or even if they still have a job. I’ve been a part of hundreds of change scenarios and Change invariably creates push back by some people.
It’s as if your territory – and everything you know – is under attack… and push back is a knee jerk defense mechanism. But – panic aside, here’s what I know. Nobody changes to be worse. Change is never intentionally catastrophic. Change doesn’t happen because company leaders get together and say, “We need to shake things up. Let’s change something.” Change happens because your industry is probably going through a tectonic shift – maybe new technology requires that you merge with a strategic partner…OR…our culture gets excited about a new process that makes their lives easier (like on-demand TV or home delivery of your dry cleaning). In those last two examples customer habits are driving the change…and your company has to follow suit – as a survival tactic.
But the good news is that 99 1/2 out of 100 times, when the dust settles, the change will leave you with more opportunities and a better future for your family. So how should you react UNTIL you feel more comfortable. If you feel like you have to resist the change…convince yourself to compromise your emotional state…and take a neutral position. Do your job the best you can… and let the change play out; without exploding. Senior leadership knows change is awkward but will notice that at least you’ve been cooperative.
Better yet, I’d suggest you give leadership the benefit of the doubt and buy into the changes. Offer to help in any way you can. Senior leaders love that attitude…and my prediction is that you will be asked to contribute to the solution. Taking some ownership in your future makes change go down a lot easier.
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Ross Shafer is the author of (9) popular business books and (14) human resource training films. In a former career Ross won (6) Television Emmy awards for his work as a TV host, writer, and producer. Today, Ross is a sought after keynote speaker and consultant for Fortune 500 companies worldwide.