Have you ever been to a place in your life where unexpected change occurs? Sometimes it happens, and we don’t even know that it did until later. Change, among other things, is often a hurdle that we need help getting over. Sometimes we don’t see value in the difference at first. Sometimes we feel a bit afraid of what the change will cause. Sometimes we do not want to get out of our current routine because we have it “mastered” and it is comfortable for us. However, does it mean that change is not needed, just because of those feelings? Of course not! Fact is, those feelings indicate strongholds that need removing so that we are set free to grow and continue on a journey of continuous improvement.
These two quotes have spoken to me for years, and I keep them around so that I can revisit them a few times a year and get refreshed and validated in my journey.
“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.” – Joseph Campbell
“One meets his destiny often on the road he takes to avoid It.” – French Proverb
To embark on a journey or mission of change, whether it be something long-term or something more akin to a project with a near-term completion date, or even an unexpected turn on your road, some tips may help you confirm your actions and provide you positive guidance. I will reference businesses in this blog, but that reference could easily pertain to other organizations or situations that you may encounter.
1. Buy into the “leadership culture” of your company – if unable to wholeheartedly grab hold of this concept of company culture and act upon it, you should immediately begin plans to depart as swiftly as possible. You are not a fit and should go. I have done that more than once in my career and each time was difficult. I could have stayed, done a decent job and made it through, but it wasn’t fair to the company, those around me or myself to continue. One of the significant contributors to whom and where I am today is that I did not remain in jobs where I was not a great fit. If it sounds painful and or harsh, it is intended to have the opposite long-term effect and be a very positive occurrence for everyone involved.
2. Have a passion for excellence and disdain for bureaucracy – hold yourself, each other, and your teammates to a high standard. Live it and lead by it. Cut through your ideas of hierarchy, protocol and the attitude of “this is the way that we have always done it so should continue.” Forget about seeing the structure as an impediment for getting something done that needs to be done and isn’t currently. Ask the question: are we doing all that we can to help our fellow employees grow and all that we can to help our customers or patients be successful?
3. Communicate the new rules of how you work – talk the talk and walk the walk of leadership (regardless of rank or title). Take some risks; come with ideas; don’t fear failure, and help each other get better. How else will an encouraging, inspiring and motivational leadership culture permeate an organization? If you are not already doing that, you need to ask yourself why not?
4. Take “change” head on – make it part of your values as an individual, department or team and company. Change needs to become part of your shared values. Change is inevitable, continual and therefore not the exception but the rule. Change is the natural progression of life itself. Nothing can be sacred with an environment of change other than the values that are fundamental to that environment. You need to take ownership of change. It’s not incidental and shouldn’t be accidental.
5. Cast a vision of what it can be like – if you can’t see where you want to go, how can you expect to get there and how can you expect anyone to follow you? Being able to show what the result will look like provides a goal line for you and your teammates to look forward to, and to work toward together.
6. Create a new “normal” – change fills people with fear, both inside and outside the company, so you must look to exploit the opportunities that change brings and also impress upon people that change is for good. If a company is seeking excellence, growth and continuous improvement, they must make change a constant and an expected and desired norm. If your “normal” today is living in your comfort zone, it needs to become making “change” your new comfort zone. It is not impossible but takes leadership to inspire, encourage and motivate people out of their comfort zone of today and into a comfort zone of change tomorrow – for their good, for the good of your customers or patients and the good of the organization.
“Change is the natural progression of life itself.” Change is an inevitable part of life, and when embraced it can accomplish large or small things that help improve what needs to be improved. If you are burdened with this hurdle of change where you are today, give it careful thought and consideration. Then decide, if it is for you or not, and act on that decision. There is no wrong conclusion. Actions only need to be considerate and appropriately motivated.