Embracing change, ready or not

As a nation, we’re headed toward one of the most dramatic changes in leadership we’ve ever experienced, at least in our recent history. This is making me think more about change overall and how we’ll all approach the coming years.

At my office, a minor shift in my word processing software makes me whine about someone “moving my cheese” (to quote the business management parable by Spencer Johnson). But this enormous shift in how the entire country will be governed? The cheese metaphor fails me. Instead of moving my cheese, I’m thinking maybe it’s being melted into a gooey mass, or perhaps someone’s not moving it, but pelting me with it.

As a business owner and employer, I have reason to wonder what the next four years will bring in terms of regulation, taxes and financing. As a career counselor, I’m staying vigilant regarding changes to the government programs that serve so many of my clients. And as a citizen … well, this should be an interesting ride. However you slice this particular chunk of cheese, things are definitely going to be changing, as indeed, they always are. Since I sometimes teach workshops on dealing with change in the workplace, I thought I’d revisit those ideas.

1. To survive change

As a starting point for survival, think about change and the role it has played in your life. When have you been the instigator and how did it feel to control the process? Do you look forward to switching things up, or does it usually feel like a nuisance or a burden?

Understanding your natural set point when it comes to change can help you prepare effective, productive responses to changes that happen at work or elsewhere. Primary survival tip: It’s okay to fear change or even to hate it. But it’s not particularly helpful to complain about it unless you have an alternate plan to offer.

2. To avoid change

Well, you really can’t avoid change. But if you want it to impact you less, especially in your professional life, you can seek situations where change happens less frequently, or is less extreme.

Here’s an example: A nurse who struggles with the constant changes at a busy hospital might seek work somewhere offering fewer services – say a kidney dialysis center.

Or, if the pace of change inherent to health care delivery is too stressful, the same nurse could shift careers. Becoming a hair stylist would still involve direct service to people and a physical aspect that the nurse may desire, but in a setting where change is likely to be less extreme.

Primary change-avoidance tip: If your work is impacted by outside forces such as legislation and insurance processes, or if it’s part of a hyper-competitive field, you should expect frequent change. Look for positions with less responsibility outside the eye of the hurricane.

3. To prepare for change

Since change is pretty much inevitable, you’re well-advised to develop ways to deal with it. Although you can’t always predict changes, one strategy is to plan for those you can see coming, and stagger them so they don’t occur all at once.

For example, if you’re adding responsibilities at work, this probably isn’t the ideal time to remodel your kitchen. Can that be delayed while you get settled in your job? Likewise, if your family is anticipating the arrival of a new baby or relocation to a new home, asking for a promotion might stress your change tolerance.

To prepare for unexpected change, create certainty in other areas of your life. For example, having your financial ducks in a row when a layoff was announced would clearly be better than having your finances be in chaos just when you need to make decisions that will impact your income.

Primary change-preparation tip: The more parts of your life you can organize, the less frantic you’ll feel when facing changes.

4. To thrive from change

Leadership changes on any level create uncertainty and that’s troubling. But change also creates air pockets where new ideas, relationships and even new positions can begin to blossom. To make the most of a changing situation, first ask plenty of questions before judging or acting. Next, compare your personal and professional goals and values to those of the new regime; finally, chart a course to navigate the new reality.

Primary tip for thriving: A strategic response to change is better than a fearful one.