How to Handle Your Worries About Change

Help! It is all changing! How to Handle Change.

Never a more needed statement than in this time we are all navigating through.

Hardly a week seems to go by these days without someone asking me about change. And moreover, how to manage change at work.

The world is changing. Our sector is changing. And on top of all that, our jobs are changing. You may be a manager driving change in your organisation. Or you may be a member of staff implementing change. In either case, there are times when it can all feel too much.

Having said that, don’t get me wrong. Sometimes change is a positive experience.

That is, we learn a lot from it. Plus we can gain new ideas or skills. And ultimately, better our lives as a result.

However, all too often, we worry about and fear change. As a result, we make it something negative. So, how can we handle change? And how can we get past our fears and worries? Well, the first step is to be clear about what it is you are worried about.

As only then can you figure out how to deal with it.

When we are running change training, we ask participants many core handle change questions. That is of both the managers and staff. Most importamtly, we ask them, to think about how change is impacting them personally through four lenses.

1. Is Your Sense Of Direction In Danger?

Do you fear change because it was not part of your plan? Does the change that’s coming down the line mean you need to be someone new or be seen in a new way by others? Is this challenging your view of yourself, your personal goals and your career objectives? So, is this what is worrying you? Does a change in direction keep you up at night?

2. Is Your Mission Getting Mangled?

Are you unfazed by the change in direction, but concerned about the mission?

Or how the organisation is going to get there? Are you unclear about what the change means regarding how you will work?

And also what your contribution will be? What is your value to the organisation? Is a process or procedure getting you anxious? Is this what you fear?

3. Are Your Competencies Being Challenged?

Do the changes mean new abilities, skills or knowledge?

That is, what new competencies are needed to get the job done?

Are the things you have been good at before less critical compared to the things you now need to be good at?

Do you feel incompetent?

Are you worried about having to learn, retrain or fill a knowledge gap?

4. Are Your Values Challenged?

Does the change not fit with your sense of right and wrong, of what is important and what matters?

Does it mean the values you hold dear are being compromised? Is this how you feel? Are your values being tested?

Once you have identified your concerns – they might span all four lenses – you are much better placed to deal with them. Ask yourself, what:

Are my choices?
Potential solutions are there to these barriers?
Further information do I need?

Recognising your options, getting informed and taking action will help reduce your fears and worries. Remember, too, to take care of yourself during the change. Find out how to keep up your energy level.

How To Handle Change

Help! It is all changing! How to Handle Change.

Never a more needed statement than in this time we are all navigating through.