THREE WAYS TO MANAGE CHANGE

“Change is constant; nothing remains the same.” – Heraclitus (c. 535 BCE – 475 BCE)

We Are Not In Kansas Anymore
As the current working generations, we have not been here before. The economy is not recovering in a way we can see in our daily lives. If we lost our jobs, we are probably still unemployed. “We” have not recovered. If we are employed, current changes in our organizations might cause some anxiety and disruption to the workplace, as well as to personal lives. We might experience new or different work expectations and priorities, fewer resources, reassignment or layoff of colleagues and co-workers, and/or the emotion of grief or loss.

“We live in a moment of history where change is so speeded up that we begin to see the present only when it is already disappearing.” – Ronald D. Laing (1927-1989)

The Role of Work
We spend a great portion of our lives working, including commuting. We often look to the workplace to meet some of our needs for social contact and support. In addition, our identities in our professional life contribute to our sense of personal fulfillment. Work therefore plays a significant role in self-esteem, personal wellbeing and social wellbeing. When the work environment changes, you can feel challenged or threatened, and will respond according to how vulnerable you feel. This is why it is so devastating when we lose our jobs. For some of us, we are our work.

When our work changes, we are anxious until we absorb or process the change. The level of anxiety is usually in proportion to our acceptance or resistance to the change or to the quantity of changes. Here in 2010, change happens so fast we often don’t have time to assimilate the change into our life or repertoire when the next one comes along. This is future shock. It is this personal perception that we are constantly bombarded with changes (large and small) in too short a period of time. Future shock is a term for this psychological state of individuals and entire societies, introduced by Alvin Toffler in his book of the same name. (Future Shock, 1970)

"The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read or write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn." – Alvin Toffler

How do you cope with everything from your family life and your job to the daily time-crunch and the mounting complexity of everyday life? Change is all around you. You are told, “Change is good.” Then last year’s “miracle medicine” is suddenly yanked off the shelves for being harmful. Is change good? How do you know? What do you accept and what do you reject?

Know this: change is inevitable. Resistance is futile. Survival is optional. What follows are some ways for you to understand change and tips for adapting to change.

“If you don't develop a strategy of your own, you become a part of someone else's strategy.” – Alvin Toffler

Step one: Breathe. When we get anxious, we often hold our breath. Breathing is good. When you travel with a child by airplane, you are instructed to place the oxygen mask on yourself first, then on your child. Good advice. You can’t help others until you take care of yourself. You can’t make a decision or think unless you breathe. By taking a moment to slow down and deliberately breathe, you also give your brain a much needed pause to process and assimilate the information that you just received. All good.

Step two: Research. Gather what information you can about the change. You know the formulae: who, what, where, when, and why. I would also add “how” to your list of things to find out. You may not receive information about each of these components, but do the best you can. Oh, when I say research, I don’t mean asking your co-workers. They are usually not a good resource for reliable information. They are usually the source of wild speculation and rumors.

Here are some questions to get you started.
• Who is affected and who is involved in initiating the change?
• What is the change and what is it affecting?
• What will be lost? What will be gained?
• Where will this change happen? Is equipment required?
• When will the change happen? And, will it happen all at once or over a time period?
• Why is this change happening?
• How is this change going to affect you? Your job? Your family?

Step three: Resilience. Change is a process that occurs over time and involves themes of loss, uncertainty, newness and control. Adaptation to change comes in phases and your reactions may fluctuate greatly. Understanding what people around you typically experience and need when facing transition can help you to plan for the work and personal issues related to change. By developing a resiliency strategy, you will not just survive during times of change, but thrive.

Change is often external and situational: the new manager, the new policy, the reorganization. Unless psychological transition occurs, change will not be successful.

Inward psychological transition occurs much more slowly than situational change. Understanding what happens during this transition time, and allowing yourself to work through it, is key to coming to terms with change. See Step One above.

The questions I offered above and those you come up with on your own will help you identify some of the losses, nature of the newness and provide a degree of certainty in uncertain times. Sometimes the certainty is only, “I am certain I don’t know and no one else does, either.” Look for the opportunities in the change. Sometimes change is just different, not better or not worse.

Understanding your reactions to change, transition, and the reactions of others will guide you toward helpful approaches to coping. Here are some suggestions to consider for yourself, family and if you are a manger, to encourage your employees.

• Give and get support from co-workers, colleagues, supervisors, family and friends.
• Understand and define personal and organizational limitations. Let go, even if only temporarily, of those areas that are out of your control or influence. Take action, if appropriate, in those areas where you do have control or influence.
• Maintain self-care strategies (e.g., diet, rest, exercise, relaxation).
• Take advantage of opportunities to learn new skills required to adapt to the changes, or for achieving personal or professional growth from the challenges that the changes bring.
• Establish short-term goals to minimize uncertainty and provide a level of accomplishment during the transition.
• Talk about what is happening. Find people willing to listen and talk about what you think and feel.

“You cannot step twice into the same river; for other waters are ever-flowing on to you.” – Heraclitus

Change is inevitable. Getting a strategy to cope with change only makes sense. It will make your life easier. It might be a different river, but at least you’ll know the currents.

This Week’s Coaching:
1. What do you need to know about an upcoming change?
2. Will you adjust your usual approach to change?

Let me know what works or not for you. Let me know. You can reach me at eal@ealcoaching.com. Thanks for reading.

All things are possible,
Elisabeth

Elisabeth Adler-Lund
Executive and Life Coaching