Use emotional intelligence when dealing with change
Q: I recently had an unexpected change at work that continues to bother me, and I would like your suggestions on how to deal with it. I had been working on a massive project that took months to plan and was suddenly taken off the lead role when the launch date was near. A newly recruited leader decided that I needed more experience to manage the project, and their decision made me rethink my career. How can I move past this?
A: Change will happen at work regardless of your ability to lead. The skills employers look for are managing change without disrupting your motivation or creating doubt within yourself. The way you bounce back is often related to the perspective you take.
Emotional intelligence is recognizing emotions and applying thought to situations that help you become aware of your behavior, empathy, social interactions, and reactions. Becoming selfaware of your behavior will be one of the essential skills in your career. High levels of emotional intelligence are often good predictors of career success. In fact, out of the 10 traits that recruiters look for in candidates, emotional intelligence is listed.
Any time a change happens at work, it can take you off focus and, if you are not self-aware, can create a loss of momentum. It takes time and effort to coordinate a large project, and the relationships you made while planning the project are also significant. When you experience disappointment or setbacks at work, anger could be one of the first emotions.
Recognizing that anger could influence your decision to rethink your career could be an excellent example of self-awareness. Dealing with setbacks is not about denying you are disappointed. It is instead how you accept change and move on.
Consider how many co-workers and senior management are observing how you handle this decision. The newly elected leader may need to meet with you more often to know you well enough to feel comfortable in having you lead a project that will reflect their leadership.
Being confident in your ability to manage a large-scale project comes from within and the experience you build over time. Allowing the decision to choose another project lead does not need to be a stumbling block. Instead, turn it into a leverage of support. The new project lead might need your insight and knowledge.
You can move forward by stepping back and recognizing how your emotions could be taking you off course. Confide in people you trust who will offer honest feedback and help you process the change. Take time to gather your thoughts and emotions. Identify the ones that are getting in the way of you moving forward.
Being resilient in bouncing back from unexpected change builds good leadership skills. When you accept change positively, others will notice, and your influence will likely open the way for future project completions. The key is not allowing setbacks to affect your attitude or your ability to relate to people. Focus on problem-solving and setting goals to get your career back on track by allowing your emotions to work for you instead of creating career blocks.