Like Death and Taxes, Change is Certain to Happen in the Work Place

Like Death and Taxes, Change is Certain to Happen in the Work Place | By Yetta Blair

Death, taxes and change. There’s never a convenient time for any of them, but we can take steps to prepare for each.  Here are a few tips on how to prepare for change when it is happening in your work place.

1.  Acknowledge Change Happens.  Stand up and admit to yourself that change happens. Things can not and will not stay the same.  For an organization to advance there must be change. So the first step in preparation for change is to acknowledge change happens and will happen in your organization.

2.  Stop fearing change.  Stop fearing change. Embrace it. If you are afraid ask yourself what would you be doing if you were not afraid? Take fear out of the equation and you will open up your mind to the possibilities that change brings. Once you embrace the change in your organization, you will feel free and maybe even excited and refreshed. Trying something new invigorates us. Challenges us. So the second step is to stop being afraid of change. 

3.  Anticipate Change.  Since we have acknowledged change happens and we no longer fear it, we must now start to look for change and anticipate it happening. Look at what you are doing and start asking yourself questions.  Is it still relevant?  Does it bring value?  Is there a better way to do it?  What are your competitors doing?  Time to update?  When you start monitoring for change, you will notice the small changes early, and in doing so, we no longer will be taken by surprise when change happens.

4.  Change your course.  If you keep doing the same thing, you will continue to get the same results. You must move in a new direction to be successful with change.

5. Be flexible.  The better you are able to adapt to change, the greater your chances of being successful. Look at the requirements of the new situation that change created. Maybe your current skills do not fit exactly, so ask yourself what skills from the old situation can you apply to the new one.  In other words, instead of focusing on differences the change brought on, focus on similarities.

6.  Adapt to change Quickly.  The quicker you let go of the old and embrace the new change in your organization, the sooner you can enjoy the new.  Change can make things better. 

7. Communicate the change with others.  Good communication is always important, but especially so when you face change in your organization.  A lack of communication from others can have a negative impact, while effective communications can have a positive one. Part of the fear of change involves dealing with the unknown.  So start talking.

8.  Change – You must change with the times.  Saying, “but we have always done it this way”, will not cut it.  Dinosaurs remind us we are not too big to fail.  IBM reminds us we should never think we are too big for change.  Change really can lead you to a new and better place.

9.  Stay positive and Enjoy change.  Keeping a positive attitude can help you deal with the uncertainties of change and will not go unnoticed by staff, co-workers or customers.  Savor the adventure and enjoy what change brings you.