Careers – Embracing change

Change is at the heart of the business world and the only constant in life. Instead of resisting, you have more to gain by embracing and flourishing through any upheaval.

Change in the workplace can arrive in different ways: managerial shake-ups, restructuring, advances in technology or implementing new initiatives. Change is essential for the growth of any company and you can also thrive as an employee. Instability in national economies and customer demands are the main causes of change in the workplace, says career and life coach Katlego Kolobe. “Change is due to macro level changes in the world and national economies, differing customer demands, increasing competion due to globalisation and internationalisation, as well as developments in technology,” Kolobe adds.

These external pressures force businesses to adapt while still making a profit. “Businesses have to keep up or die. So they are constantly changing in order to survive,” she says. Here’s how you can adjust so you’re not left behind.

EMBRACE NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Change makes us feel insecure and that’s why it’s such a struggle, Kolobe notes. “We enjoy our comfort zones. People are driven to create safety because that’s what allows us to flourish. However, in the new world of work we’re surrounded by rapid change.” She stresses that because change is necessary in the corporate world, it’s wise for anyone affected to find comfort in turbulent situations. That calls for resilience. “It is doable,” Kolobe encourages.

This was the experience of development researcher Charity Magagula, 34. After years as a researcher, she was asked to take over and manage the company’s website. “This was a very difficult transition for me,” says Charity. “I felt like I was asked to do this because I was the junior researcher and was very frustrated. I also wasn’t confident I could handle this job,” she adds.

After two years of working on the digital platform, Charity developed new skills and achieved more as the digital editor than researcher. “One day I decided to stop resisting the change. With time, I became grateful for the opportunity and started enjoying my job,” she adds. Her new skills and handling of her new duties led to a promotion, and she became director of the digital and ground development research.

It’s no surprise that employees often promote or hire the candidate who adapts easily to change. This is because it shows you have a strong character and can handle any challenge. Kolobe says there are more advantages to embracing change than to resisting it. “The number one advantage is that you can roll with the punches, go with the flow, and learn and grow from change. It’s tough, but what you do now will build you for your future, so it’s important to always be willing to embrace change in order to grow,” Kolobe adds.

FORGE GOOD RELATIONSHIPS

Managerial changes can be the hardest ones to adapt to, Kolobe says. “Managerial changes can have deep impact, because who your manager is matters for your success. Relationships play a role in how employees perform. When they change, it impacts your ability to deliver, participate and add value,” she adds.

This proved true for 25-year-old PR assistant Thembi Dlamini. After a year of working under a manager she had grown to admire and look up to, she learnt that the company had hired a new one. “This was hard as I had grown very close to her,” Dlamini says. The new manager had an unfriendly style of management. “This made me struggle as the new boss didn’t allow me to be as innovative as I was before. Her leading style also affected the team morale, a lot of people resigned and eventually, so did I,” Dlamini adds.

Kolobe says although managerial changes can be hard, you should look at the situation as an opportunity to learn new skills. “It’s important to strive to accept the new manager,” she encourages, “because if they feel accepted they’ll respond positively than if they feel rejected”.

LET GO OF THE PAST

Clinging on to ‘how things have always been done’ is a dangerous defence mechanism if taken too far, cautions the career coach. “Resistance and clinging to the past are normal parts of adapting to change but don’t do it for too long. Figure out what exactly you’re resisting. Then find ways to cope with the change proactively. Avoid being angry or reactive in other ways,” Kolobe continues.

Look for ways in which you can develop yourself. “Have clarity about yourself, your needs and your ability to add value. Then, keep working on your confidence by improving your technical, managerial, career management and leadership skills.

“Have courage to try new things, make mistakes, learn and re-learn. Those are three critical things for your career in general and for dealing with changes too,” Kolobe says.

Another way to embrace change is to be grateful for your job. By figuring out the benefits for yourself and your business or workplace will give you the bigger picture. “Focus on what is important and prioritise and do things that energise you from within each and every day. Your attitude is the number one source for embracing change,” Kolobe adds.