Seizing the Opportunity in Change!

Session #701

Patsy J. ReevesApril 2009

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Handle the challenge of change well, and you can prosper greatly. Handle it

poorly, and you put yourself and others at risk.

John Kotter

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Life Is A Series of Changes* Birth * Walking

* Talking * Going to School

* School Graduation * First Job

* Marriage * Birth of Children

* Children Leave * Death

Each change brings both joy and sadness

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What’s New About Change Today?

World Events Are Forcing Rapid Life Changes

• 11/9/89 – Fall of Berlin Wall & Communism

• 8/9/95 – World Wide Web

• International Outsourcing (India & China)

• Perfecting the Corporate Supply Chain (Wal-mart)

“When things outside your business are changing faster than things inside your business, the end is in sight.”

Jack Welch

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Workplace Changes Create New Paths To Success

Old Path to Success• One employer for life• Stable work environment• Guaranteed retirement plan

(CSRS)

• Company-managed career• Low-technology skills• Loyalty, hard work, follow the

rules, outlast your rivals

New Path to Success• Series of employers over time

• Downsizing, mergers, buyouts, reorganizations

• Self-directed retirement plans (401Ks or FERS)

• Shape your own career

• High-technology skills

• Flexibility, unique talents and abilities, outgrow your rivals

Few Changes Constant Change

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People React Differently to Change Respond Well Challenged By Change

→ Weathered previous changes → Little experience with change

→ Proactive; problem solver → Reactive; passive

→ Flexible personality → Need order, control, predictability

→ Embrace learning opportunities → Prefer status quo

→ See the world as friendly & expect → Realistic or pessimistic outlook good things; optimistic

→ View as an opportunity → View change as a loss

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It’s not the changes that do you in . . .

it’s the transitions!!

Old Secure Situation

New Beginning

Neutral Zone of

Transition

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Normal Reactions To ChangeStage 1: Denial – allows upsetting news to sink in slowlyStage 2: Anger – expressed actively or passivelyStage 3: Bargaining – try to hold on to what wasStage 4: Depression – feel the loss of people, work

routines, location, and/or controlStage 5: Acceptance – first as a state of mind; as emotional

peace

Kubler-Ross Stages of Loss

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Prepare Now For Future ChangeAnticipate Change

– Maintain situational awareness– Network

• Continually introduce small changes in your life– Develop new skills– Introduce new experiences

• Update your resume once a year– Document new accomplishments, knowledge, &

responsibilities– Helps clarify your situation, goals, and progress

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Improve Your Response To Change• Seek accurate information to avoid needless worry• Express your concerns with a few you trust

– Avoid negative people and rumors

• Take care of yourself physically– Develop a way to relax and unwind– Get adequate sleep, eat well, exercise

• Focus on the immediate - on today– Remember what you’ve accomplished & your value– Helps maintain productivity & confidence

• Maintain familiar routines– Focus on things you can control– Stay involved in non-work activities– Remain connected with outside friendships

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Strategies to Succeed Through Change: Value Yourself

• Try not to take it personally– Its not about you but about your

organization adapting

• Avoid self doubt– Remind yourself of your own value

• Seek advice from someone who has adapted well to significant work change

• Develop a plan – update your resume

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Strategies to Succeed Through Change: Manage Your Career

• Identify your employer’s needs in the new situation– Adjust your skills, efforts, and expectations – Support your boss’s challenges

• Look for positive opportunities in the change– Gives you a sense of control

• Take responsibility for your career– Don’t wait for someone else to manage your career– Don’t expect permission to move ahead– Think of yourself as “self-employed”

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Strategies to Succeed Through Change: Manage Your Career

• Network to enlarge your perspective

• Keep learning– Greater skills = greater value

• Look for opportunities in the change– Be open to changing courses

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Leader’s Role in Change

Cope with

change yourself: leaders go first

Support the group and keep them motivated!!

Lead your team

through the transition

Keep the group productive

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Lead Your Team Through Transition• Be honest about your worries and hopes

– Encourage team members to support each other– Encourage openness about concerns &

frustrations– Point out opportunities

• Provide news first– Hold regular meetings to discuss events

•Provide extra encouragement - Never enough appreciation

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Lead Your Team Through Transition• Help team envision the new beginning/situation

– Create a roadmap from old to new

• Explain why the organization must change

• Provide opportunity for hands-on experience– Identify & obtain needed training

• Celebrate and honor the past

• Focus your team on the future – reinforce the new beginning

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DEPARTING CONVERSATION

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What Does The Future Hold?

Improve your capacity to handle complex, changing

situations

You can win if you outgrow your rivals

Continue learning - it will be key to career success

The rate of change will increase

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The Time for Action is Now“The pessimist complains

about the wind;

The optimist expects the wind to change;

The realist adjusts the sails.”

It is time to adjust the sails and move forward!

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REFERENCES Managing Transitions : Making the Most of Change

William Bridges

Who Moved My CheeseSpencer Johnson, M.D.

Coping with Workplace Change : Dealing with Loss and GriefJ. Shep Jeffreys, Ed.D.

Leading ChangeJohn P. Kotter

Stay Sane Through Change David Webster & Tolulope Adeleye

Our Iceberg Is Melting

John Kotter