Given our current work environment these last two years, adapting to change is something we should all be familiar with, in some form or another. When we left our offices to work from home due to a pandemic, we made adjustments and adapted. What we thought would be a few weeks turned into months (or possibly a year or two for some). And we adapted again to that change and led our team throughout these constant changes.
Adapting to change is something we do daily. From the last minute meeting with the board of directors to the canceled meeting that you and your team worked long hours to prepare for. Change is constantly something we are always dealing with.
Leading Your Team Through Change
How we handle change, whether on a personal or professional level, takes some time and even some patience. But how do you motivate and lead your team through various workplace challenges and changes?
It’s not easy for managers or their team to accept change so easily. A “go with the flow” mentality may not be the best way to lead your team, as it may induce stress, resulting in poor performance. Even if the change is for the positive, it can still be difficult.
Handling Change
According to Live Oak Technologies, “it is important to find ways to motivate and inspire a team to be creative and adapt to change.” And when it comes to making a change, your priority as a leader should be to determine whether or not the environment you work in is open to receiving change. Many employees fear change may mean a loss of purpose, or even worse, a loss of employment.
Involving your team in changes you know are headed their way may make them more open to whatever change is coming. Indeed.com offers six tips to help your employees navigate change occurring in the workplace.
- Accepting the change – helping your employees accept that change may happen can help them adapt to that change a little more quickly when it does occur.
- Staying positive – helping your team to view change positively may help them adjust to that change more easily.
- Getting a fresh perspective – talking to other managers and how they are handling a specific change in the workplace. Realizing that change is handled differently in different departments and taking any advice peers may have, may help you lead your team through change more effectively.
- Focusing on what you can control – allowing your team to focus on the responsibilities they have control over may help those employees feel more at ease. Putting your effort into what you can control may help you and your team adjust to whatever change is forthcoming.
- Setting new goals – setting a new goal for your team and helping them to focus and deliver on those tasks may help individuals to continue to move towards their professional goals.
- Staying connected – keeping the lines of communication open may help your team feel more positive and may even increase productivity.
Change Is Inevitable
No one can change an organization on their own. It takes collaboration from every aspect of an organization for successful change to take place. Communicate every step of the way and keep everyone informed about the process. Make sure employees know the benefits and create an engaged culture that embraces change.
