We are facing some of the most challenging and turbulent times many of us will have experienced in our working lifetimes. Here are some ideas on dealing with change:

Dealing with Confusion

Change & challenge can bring about inertia and confusion. Priorities are unclear and we wait for something to happen. People are frustrated and “management” is blamed. Irrational and un-coordinated behaviours are combated by setting up numerous committees and task forces.

Positive actions

Provide a vision and direction that people know about and understand…
And allow people to propose their own ideas on how to get there.
Focus on the very first concrete steps
Set challenging but realistic goals
Give fast feedback about results
Minimise unnecessary surprises and changes
Encourage open expression of feelings both positive and negative

Playing to strengths

Research shows that people are more willing and able to adapt to change and new challenges that are aligned to their strengths (Linley, Harrington, & Hill, 2005). This is based on the belief that each person’s talents are enduring and unique and their greatest room for growth is in their area of strength.

Positive actions

Understand people’s strengths and align them to the challenges faced by your team or organization
Get people doing what they do best for more of the time
Build on the strengths you have to develop the organization you want
Train your managers to spot and manage strengths

Changing your mindset

We can often over emphasize or misread the outcome of our mistakes or setbacks. By challenging the beliefs that follow adversity, you can change your reaction from dejection or frustration to refocusing on your reality and the task that you need to deliver.

This can be particularly useful when individuals are facing change over which they have no control.

For example a reaction to a setback might look like this:

Adversity - “I didn’t get the job”
Belief – “I’m worthless and unemployable”
Consequences – “I’m anxious and feel dejected”

Positive actions

Here you build a rationale to help you to change your ABC responses. For example:

Adversity - “I didn’t get the job”
Belief – “I wasn’t suited to the role”
Consequences – “There are other jobs which will be better matched to my strengths and skills”

To ensure that this approach becomes second nature to you will require practice, eventually the positive reaction will become your automatic response. Good Luck!