Certainty is an admirable quality in a leader. But when times are tough and headwinds are rough, it takes a remarkable leader to remain flexible and act proactively...
Adapting to Business Change: 7 Powerful Techniques to Flourish in your Job
With unexpected shifts in leadership, sudden layoffs, corporate restructures, and economic uncertainties, the workplace can quickly feel chaotic. Finding your balance amidst this turmoil can be challenging. How can you regain stability? And how do you create a perception of certainty with your team?
Managing Uncertainty
Dealing with workplace turbulence is a common aspect of professional life. Although it make evoke feelings of unease and apprehension, learning to embrace change is a healthier approach. After all, there is no real certainty of anything in life.
In times of turmoil and uncertainty, many individuals find themselves drained and overwhelmed by the challenges they face. Their future focus tends to be around worst case scenarios and prevention.
However, it is essential to dig deep and find the positive aspects of what is under transformation. By reframing our outlook on adversity and viewing it as a chance for growth, we equip ourselves to tackle change with resilience and effectiveness.
Let's take a look at seven ways you can teach yourself to to go from seeing challenges as energy drainers to energy gainers.
1. acknowledge Your Emotions
A lot of us have been told that we are victims of our emotions - that we cannot control how we feel.
The good news is that research shows that we are actually in control. We don't have to be at the whim of feeling fearful, angry or anxious. Recognising that we have the power to shape our mindset and perspective is truly empowering.
Emotions aren't positive or negative. They can provide you with helpful guidance, rather than indicating something is wrong.
2. Visualise a Bright Future
Life is supposed to be fun. Feel into how you can bring more happiness to your team, rather than worry about something that might not even happen.
3. Adopt Useful Beliefs
In the book, Useful Belief by Chris Helder, he talks about the need to consider what is more useful to us during a particular situation, rather than wallowing in self-pity and fear. It's about asking ourselves questions that help us focus on what's helpful in dealing with a situation we can't change.
- What is the most useful strategy to move me out of this moment and into a better place?
- What can I believe that will help me feel better about this situation?
- What strategy can I employ that would make this situation the best it can possibly be?
- What is the most useful belief I could have about this situation I'm walking into?
4. FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS, NOT DWELLING ON PROBLEMS
This can include asking curious questions that open up choices and possibilities:
- How can we look at this differently?
- Just for fun, what if we think of it this way?
- What's the opportunity here?
- How else could you look at this?
5. Change your Language
- I can't believe they want us to do this.
- I don't trust the CFO. He's always cutting costs.
- It's their fault we're in this mess right now.
- What criteria were used?
- What alternatives were considered?
- What broader factors were in play that are outside your visibility?
Not only that, sharing your thinking provides people with a blueprint on decision-making – a powerful training tool. This can be a helpful technique that stops the knee-jerk reaction of complaining about others.
6. Seek Valuable Support
Having a solid professional support system can be invaluable when navigating through periods of change.
This can include relationships with colleagues, so you can decompress and bond over shared experiences. However, falling into a cycle of gossip and finger-pointing is counter-productive. It will be much harder to pick yourself up and dust yourself off, if venting and complaining becomes part of your day.
There can also be negative consequences to your career with over-sharing. A better option is to confide in trusted personal networks outside of work that provide you with a different perspective. Rather than regurgitating the same negative stories with your colleagues in arms.
Research has found that joining communities of practice for leaders can be a significant shaper of professional identity where you have the opportunity to engage in dialogue, exchange feedback, and explore ideas with others. These interactions can positively influence your leadership education, helping you explore your beliefs with others who have many years of experience and expertise. A good example is the Tribe of Trusted Leaders Community which has been designed to support leaders to navigate change, uplift their teams and be inspired by others.
Having a mentor or coach can also be helpful to get external, impartial advice.
7. Look after Yourself
To help energise our team and help them feel able to cope with change requires looking after ourselves. This is foundational to having the energy to deal with change.
Your physical health matters. Getting enough sleep, exercise, water and nutrition matter. So does having the right amount of breaks that energise you.
After all, you can't give your team oxygen, if you haven't given it to yourself first. Make sure you take the time to reenergise your batteries. Take time out to feel inspired and rejuvenated by the amazing world we live in.
FLEXING your CHANGE Mindset
Turn the shock and upheaval into an advantage by adapting your mindset to one where you see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.