Understanding and Adapting to Change

Presented by: Darren Gomez

Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Financial Officer

General Services Administration

Two Types of Change

Self Imposed Change – You see something within yourself or your environment that you want altered.

Imposed Change – Someone other than you initiates the change.

Characteristics of Change

Self Imposed Change Can be something as simple as changing

your outfit, the color of your walls or as complex as your job.

Relatively easy to adapt to because you establish the parameters of the change.

Usually accompanied by a sense of excitement and expectation.

Characteristics of Change

Imposed Change Typically much more complex than self

imposed change. Can be difficult to adapt to. Usually

because the individual is not in control of parameters of the change. The difficulty increases as the information flow decreases.

It can be difficult to not take it personally. Usually accompanied by a sense of dread

and a fear of the unknown.

SEESignificant Emotional Event

Requires you to adapt to a new situation

Can affect you physically and emotionally

Two types of SEEsPersonal (marriage, divorce, birth, death)Professional (job, resources, bosses)

Stages of a Significant Emotional Event

Shock or Denial – I Can’t believe It!A Flood of Emotion – Typically AngerBargaining – Let’s Short Cut the ProcessDepression – Mistaken for GriefAcceptance – Intellectual or Emotional

The Four F’s of ChangeWhich One are You?

FreezeFightFleeFlow

Working Through Stress and Change

How long does all this take? Typically 12 to 18 months Must occur within 24 months or you will risk

burn out and quit or you will become difficult and “batter the nest”.

All changes produces loss (which must be grieved).

Recognize that this process is natural and normal.

Change produces fear – Of What?

Story Time

Dope on a Rope

Working Through Stress and Change (Con’t)

How Do I Feel Confused or unhappy Low Morale Beaten Down Alone – Nobody Knows the Trouble I Seen Depressed – But not an excuse to

misbehave or perform poorly. Acceptance – How Do I Get There? Let’s go back to the old ways.

Story Time

The Elephant and the Twig

Harsh Slap of Reality Time!

Ways to Protect YourselfRecognize that what you are feeling is normal, resisting will only make it worse.Find someplace to vent your anger.Managers must increase information flow, if you are not getting enough information, ask for it. Don’t be a martyr.Keep in mind that during times of change, all perceptions are distorted and they are usually negative.Keep as much familiarity as possible during times of change.Work on maintaining or creating a support system. Take care of yourself physically. Avoid escaping with excessive alcohol consumption, drugs, over eating, gambling, etc.Relax – You have been through things like this before and survived you will survive this change too.Where am I going to end up?

Story Time

The Big Move

How you approach the change will determine how well you will adapt to the change.

Managers – Remember that associates are looking to you see how you are reacting.

QTIP – Quite Taking It Personally - You are not the only one going through this. Be the example!

BE POSITIVE!

Last Story

The Shoe Salesmen

Questions