There’s no step-by-step guide for dealing with workplace change, say Janet McLeod (MPsych(Ind&Org) ‘11), Dr Adrian Medhurst (GDipPsych’06) and Dr Marcele de Sanctis (PhD ‘13). Rather than trying to control the uncontrollable, you can learn to flow through change by reflecting on your experiences and drawing support from people around you.
How to build change fluency
Recognise change won’t stop
‘Change is not an event that we need to get through,’ Janet says. ‘It’s something that’s integrated in how we work and how we live.’
Control what you can
‘Change continues to happen, just like time continues to happen,’ Adrian says. ‘You don’t manage it, but you can manage yourself, and you can manage and support each other.’
Tune in to yourself to fight overwhelm and overload
Janet suggests that if you’re noticing signs of distraction, lack of focus, procrastination or fatigue, it’s time to step back and ask yourself: how have I been switching across my different tasks? Do I need to pause?
Share stories of change
‘When you can normalise how people are navigating change and talk openly about how you’ve navigated similar things, that is very comforting and helpful for people,’ says Marcele.
Build your network
‘Do you have the support crew that is there to assist you? Do you have the coach who’s been there, done that, tells you how it is, won’t pull any punches?’ Marcele asks. ‘Do you have the right sources of information that can get tough questions answered? Do you have people in your network who are influential, who have access to resources, who can help you navigate and advocate for you?’
Grow through change
‘Asking yourself three questions – what worked well, what didn’t work well, what will you do differently next time – is a way to get valuable data that helps you to grow through change.’ says Janet.
Recruit change as an ally
‘Change can be powerful for making progress. There’s opportunity for innovation,’ Adrian says. ‘What might we harness if we bring a different mindset to it?’
Build healthy boundaries, not unyielding walls
‘Approach change through the lens of trade-offs,’ Marcele suggests. ‘“I can deliver that job for you, but not until next week.” Learn to say no, but in a way that still conveys hope and optimism and possibility.’
Don’t forget to breathe
‘Don’t underestimate how your breath can help you to regulate – how a very intentionally done in-breath can activate and wake you up, and how you can lengthen the exhale to give yourself an opportunity for some space to think clearly,’ Adrian says.
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