Workplaces in the past few years have experienced unprecedented levels of change, particularly when it comes to technological systems. Whether your company has new HR or sales software, new computer machinery, or a more automated/electronic way of creating your product or delivering your service, you've likely run into change.
With changes come various reactions, from skepticism to refusals to leadership and creative problem-solving. While top leadership may make the call that a change will occur, it's often up to other levels of leadership and individual contributor employees to put it into practice. How can you be part of making these changes happen? We're glad you asked. Here's how to embrace change in the workplace.
Get to Know the Situation
When you discover that a significant change is coming, one of the smartest things you can do now is to start gathering information. Rather than instantly thinking of worst-case-scenarios, begin to ask these questions:
- Who is driving this change, and what do they hope to achieve?
- What do you know about the change, and what can it reasonably do for the company in the long run?
- What short-term challenges will likely arise that will need to be handled, such as onboarding to software or adapting current processes?
- Who will likely be a vocal opponent, and what will they be worried about?
- How can you be a voice of reason even if you have misgivings?
Change takes time out of everyone's days, but it generally happens because, long-term, that work will pay off with improved efficiency, better client service, or greater access and usability. When approached by someone who needs you to help with a new process or other change, keep any negative opinions to yourself until you can get as much information as possible. Ask positive-phrased questions like, "How will this help us be more efficient or have a better placement than our competitors?"
What Open Minds and Positive Attitudes Can Do
Keeping an open mind is hard to do. If you've seen changes in your company lead to more work without positive results, it's tempting to become cynical and pessimistic about change. However, the phrase "your attitude determines your altitude" often becomes true. Software can only do so much if people resist training on it, never use it unless they can't help it, and emphasize all its annoying qualities. Instead, think about an employee who opts to take all the trainings, becomes the company expert on the new software, showcases how it improves output and becomes a star employee. That difference in attitude may lead to promotions and recognition. In contrast, negative go-with-a-crowd opinions about change may feel right at the moment, but they never put you in a position for growth.
Still not convinced about the open mind and positive attitude toward change? Think about it this way. Bosses get accustomed to their most negative employees always having something bad to say. It becomes a bit like the Boy Who Cried Wolf, but instead, it is the Employee Who Cried "Bad Idea!". If you bring an open mind and a positive attitude to your work daily, your words will hold more weight with your managers. If you discover a serious issue with implementing change, you're much more likely to hold their attention and see action on your needs.
Working With Flexibility Helps You Find the Good and Adapt When Issues Arise
One way to approach a workplace change is to ask about primary goals and keep them on hand as the change process is ongoing. If the primary goals are to reach more sales prospects per shift or improve product quality, you should measure adjustments as you implement change to ensure you work towards your goal. You can be a valuable team member when you start a new process or begin using a new piece of technology and realize that some additional change is needed. Being able to create workarounds to keep all the positive features of new technology while also avoiding the negative growing pains is a core strength that will help you stand out at work.
Leaders aren't bringing phony enthusiasm or glad-handing to their teams. Instead, they come bearing clear goals, positive attitudes, thoughtful changes, and a willingness to keep growing themselves. That's how navigating workplace changes should look.
If any of the changes in your workplace have put your leadership skills and problem-solving abilities to the test, you aren't alone. Many people find that they grow as workers and leaders when they invest in themselves through professional development.
