“It has become a truism that the only constant today is change” —William Bridges
Our customers and competitors are constantly changing. Therefore we have no choice but to keep up. Because no matter how secure or satisfied we feel with the way things are, some costs come with being too comfortable.
Therefore, your ability to not only change but change quickly is key to the future success of your organization. Change can happen to people, the organization, or the system. And as you take on more responsibility in your organization and move up the chain of command, you will need to be calm and flexible during times of change. Here’s how:
Trust Yourself
Change can be disruptive and ambiguous. Therefore, it’s a time when we need to trust our decision-making and leadership abilities. Others will turn to you for guidance. Believe you will know the difference between putting people’s minds at ease versus filling their heads with false hopes. Remember when the time for transparency in executive decision-making is right.
Be Ready to Learn
You learn a great deal about yourself during times of change. You test your patience. You realize how resilient you are. Change is also a time to unleash your creativity and spark inspiration. And in times of failure and criticism, you take away valuable lessons about yourself.
Increase Your Resilience
To be agile, you need to demonstrate flexibility. Weathering the storms of change reflects your ability to adapt rapidly. To build resilience during times of change, you have to adopt a growth mindset. Be mindful and focus on your strengths.
Recommended: Resilience in the Workplace: What is it and Why Does it Matter?
Accept What Is Within Your Control
Frustration can keep us from fully accepting change. We struggle as we lose control of outcomes or decisions. However, once we realize we can’t always be behind the wheel, we learn to trust that the ones that are will steer us in the right direction. The best you can do is enjoy the ride and help make sure everyone else onboard is doing the same.
Be in the Moment
When you are so caught up in the past, you lose sight of the future and all its potential. Don’t preoccupy your mind with, what was; instead, think of what is, and what will be. Connect with the present and how you can help shape it into something meaningful for yourself and the people you lead.
Embrace the Fear
Stress, under the right circumstances, is a good thing. Stress triggers our “fight or flee” response. When we choose to fight, anxiety and fear can be incredible motivators. It sharpens our focus, improving our ability to recall things. We don’t become complacent and take the leap. We stop identifying change as a disruption or a time of loss. We change the narrative and spin the change as a time for self-discovery and tapping into potential.
In leadership, we will continuously be tested for our ability to adapt and willingness to learn. To master agility, we must recognize that while there are things we cannot control, we do have the power to control how we react and respond to change.
As someone with over 30 years of organizational experience, I can tell you I have often seen leaders struggle with adapting to change. If you want to learn more about mastering agility, let’s connect: greg@inscapeconsulting.com
