Change is Inevitable – How are you or your team holding on?

For some years now it has felt like I have been experiencing those big deal – life changing – mountain to climb moments at unsustainable frequency (location changes, career changes, health changes, family changes, friend changes, you name a category- like most of us, it feels like I can speak to significant change examples).

Let’s be honest, seldom in these moments of change, as we are clinging to the side of the metaphorical change mountain, do most of us feel completely at ease.

We can’t quite see the full picture on the other side, in some cases we are not even sure how to get to the other side or if we actually want to. Reality is, some change that we choose is not what we expected. Some is thrust upon us, and again it is not what we expected.

So as the economic climate and modern life itself seems to keep throwing us into change frenzies… how do we keep ourselves or those around us from slipping off the edge?

I could say the key to holding on and climbing to the other side is to close your eyes and hope for the best. However, my experience would suggest there is a little bit more to it.

I believe good change is all about mindset, communication and preparation. Perhaps not in that order.

If you are thinking about or needing to implement a change for yourself, your business or your people, start with good preparation; be clear on the outcome you are looking for. Then look at why and how you need to get there.

Once you know the plan, align your ‘comms’. The specific words we choose to rationalise or support change matter (for your internal monologue, for your business or it’s people). Once you have them- argue the other side and see how your change stacks up. If you can’t articulate your ‘why’ under opposition, then you aren’t quite ready. See, change is often met with internal or external opposition and resistance. The words we choose to reassure ourselves or our stakeholders/people are important. Once you have solid communication be prepared to repeat it, again and again.

With your comms in your climbing pack, we move to perhaps the most important tool in your kit.

Your mindset.? In so many instances the final lunge to climb to the top and see the beautiful view of the other side is more about willingness and adaptability than anything else.

Change can be frightening and at times confronting for us as individuals, for our businesses, for our people and let’s face it the world at large. Good change looks like planning, communicating and committing to the value of the view on the other side, even if it doesn’t at first look exactly like we had hoped.

I guess what I am really saying is we get it… thinking about changing your job, shifting your business direction or realising that the roles your business needs have changed. These are all big things – good change takes lots of measured planning and weighing of options, communication that stacks up and the ability to foster or lean into the right mindset.

If you are looking up at the mountain ahead, stuck somewhere midway or making that last lunge… don’t be afraid to reach out for a quick hand or some significant guide ropes and good climbing shoes.

In our experience whatever the required change, it is easier with some safety nets of support.

We get that change is inevitable and good change looks well planned, communicated and supported.