Change – what's it to you?

Imagine if you and all the leaders you work with could see change – even negative change – as the best chance you’re ever going to get to make a difference, and to find out what you’re capable of? That could be life-changing, yes?

What’s the issue?

Change that wasn’t your idea and for your benefit and on your terms sucks.

It’s generated by competitors who want to attack you, regulators who want to protect everyone from you, customers who want it better-cheaper-faster, and colleagues who want you to get onboard a bus you didn’t know you were waiting for. And sometimes, change is generated by a universe that’s just mean and horrible and unfair and unreasonable. You work hard but lose your job. You love unconditionally but lose your mate.

So not surprisingly, when most people hear the word ‘change’, it doesn’t immediately get them leaping gazelle-like out of their tent at the crack of dawn or shortly before to spend another day climbing the volcano.

Life is not always on your terms. We all have to deal with change that is unplanned, unwanted, and yet unavoidable. When it actually happens, it’s a threat that causes fear. And when it might happen, it’s a potential threat that causes anxiety.

And here’s the thing. As there’s only going to be more change on the road ahead, if you don’t like change, then you’re going to become progressively less engaged in your life, both inside and out of work. That will make you less productive, less fulfilled, and less fun to be with.

Activities to consider

If you can learn to control your fear of change and manage your anxiety, you can effectively get out of your own way. And then you can start seeing that change offers you possibilities in ways that the status quo can only dream of.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t mourn loss. You must. But with an adaptable mindset, you can use setbacks not just to bounce back, but to bounce higher. A job loss is an opportunity to get a better one. If you actually believe that, there’s a chance it will happen. But if you don’t, there’s no chance.

Your only takeaway here is that it is possible to change your relationship with change. What doesn’t kill you only makes you realise how adaptable you are.

Try this

To help you change your relationship with change, think about a change you’re dealing with that is causing you stress – at home or work - and ask yourself a couple of tough questions:

a) Am I in victim mode here? Even if you’re justified, it won’t help you deal with it.

b) How do I make the best of this? Accept it’s happening, or happened, and figure out how to turn it as far as you can to your advantage. Can you make more of a difference than you’re currently tracking? Is there any opportunity to dig deep and learn something about yourself?

It’s easy to write these questions, but the only person who can actually ask and answer them is you.

At HPC, we developed Adaptability Based Leadership with the express purpose of raising productivity through more engaged, better led staff. If that approach resonates, contact me and let’s get you started on the next phase of your journey towards mastering leadership.