CHANGE AFOOT? TRUST AND BELIEVE ALL EYES ARE ON YOU

Whew! Change!! It can be unsettling can’t it? Job layoffs. A new CEO. Closing a plant. Switching from Zoom to Microsoft Teams. Even the smallest of changes can feel disruptive. But not if you think of it as an opportunity for growth and innovation, especially when you’re guiding others through it. Whether you’re new to leadership or have been doing it for years, leading a team through change can be like trying to catch your breath in a whirlwind. So how do you do it successfully without losing your team (or your sanity) along the way? All the while under a microscope? Because yes, you are being watched at how well you manage all of this.

First, Check In with Yourself

Before you can guide anyone else through change, you’ve got to get your own head and heart in the right place. How do you really feel about the changes coming down the pipeline? Are there parts of it that make you uneasy or nervous? It’s okay to admit that to yourself—heck, it’s necessary.

But know this: your team can sense when you’re not fully on board or when you’re hesitant. So, before you start leading others, take a moment to get comfortable with the change yourself. If you have doubts, share them with a trusted colleague, not your direct reports. And watch that body language! As Black women, one of the criticisms we often receive is how we speak volumes without opening our mouths. Don’t leave me hanging, you know I’m talking about YOU too! Lol

At church when we were cutting up and our mothers looked over at us with exaggerated eyes and a hard snap of her head. We KNEW to straighten our little behinds up, didn’t we?

Culturally we learned this early. At church when we were cutting up and our mothers looked over at us with exaggerated eyes and a hard snap of her head. We KNEW to straighten our little behinds up, didn’t we? Well now you’re grown and you’re the one saying all kinds of things without moving your lips. This can have a negative impact on your reputation when you’re leading a team through change.

I once got called into HR after a meeting because my manager was upset with the way I’d “conducted” myself in a meeting about departmental changes. I was stunned, because I had patted myself on the back for not having uttered a word in that meeting. Apparently, that was the problem. “Your arms were folded. You didn’t say anything when you normally contribute to conversations and you sighed a lot.” Guilty. Guilty. Guilty!?

I knew the changes were bogus. (Everyone in the room knew the changes were bogus except the manager who was proposing them.) But I’d vowed not to influence others by saying anything negative. (Clearly, I should never play poker.) But, does this sound like you?

If you’re not on board with the changes, check that body language ladies.?

People First, Process Second

One thing that often gets overlooked in change management is the human aspect. Sure, you’ve got new processes to implement, maybe some new tools or strategies to roll out, but none of that matters if you don’t bring your people along with you.

Change is personal. Everyone on your team will experience it differently. Some might be excited, others might be anxious, and a few might even be downright resistant. It’s your job to tune into these emotions and address them with empathy.

Start by having honest, open conversations with your team. Ask them how they’re feeling about the changes and really listen to what they say. Don’t just nod and move on—acknowledge their concerns, validate their feelings, and provide support where you can. Sometimes, just knowing that their feelings are heard can make a huge difference in how they handle the change. If they want to know your thoughts at least be hopeful and optimistic, if you can’t be flat out positive.

Flexibility isn’t just about changing your strategy; it’s about responding to your team’s needs in real time.

Stay Flexible: Plans Are Just Starting Points

Even the best-laid plans can go sideways, especially when you’re dealing with change. That’s why you have to stay flexible. Be ready to adjust on the fly if things don’t go as expected.

Flexibility isn’t just about changing your strategy; it’s about responding to your team’s needs in real time. If someone is struggling with a new process, don’t be afraid to tweak things or offer extra support. Your willingness to adapt shows your team that you’re committed to their success, not just pushing a change for the sake of it.?

Get Your Team Involved

People are much more likely to embrace change if they feel like they have a say in how it’s happening. So, involve your team in the process as much as you can. Ask for their input, listen to their ideas, and when possible incorporate their feedback into your plan.

This doesn’t just make them feel valued—it also taps into the collective intelligence of your team. You might discover better ways to implement the change or uncover potential issues you hadn’t considered. Plus, when people see their contributions making a difference, they’re more invested in the outcome.

Seventy percent of change management efforts fail, often because of employee resistance and lack of support from leadership. (Leadership…ummm, that would be you, ma’am). That’s a sobering statistic from Harvard Business Review, but it also highlights just how important your role is in this process. Your team’s success during change largely depends on your ability to lead with empathy, flexibility, and clear communication.

Hopefully, it’s a change you're enthusiastic about and can galvanize everyone around. But if a particular change isn’t your cup of tea, please learn from me and watch how you “conduct” yourself!

Remember, always be intentional!

Level Up with Grace is an award-winning newsletter created and designed for African-American women in corporate America (and others) who want to unapologetically create and maintain a stellar career. Executive coach Cheryl Grace shares a curated collection of insights, strategies, and tactics on change management, conflict resolution, and professional development to help women excel and advance to their next level, regardless of where they are in their career journey. Please subscribe and share!

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Shutterstock Stock Images often illustrated by the fabulously talented Natalia Hubbert.