Change Management as a Workplace Wellbeing Tool

As a therapist and psychologist, I can tell you there is nothing the human mind struggles more with than accepting change, especially when it's a constant. We love what is familiar to us, because familiarity means predictability, and when we can predict what will happen, it lowers our anxiety of the unknown. The problem in the workplace today is that business is constantly changing, now more than ever, partially due to technology and globalization. In the tech industry, the saying “move fast and break things” is embraced because innovation is important to a company’s survival. However, moving fast can also bring A LOT of stress on employees.?

Many organizations offer their employees counseling and therapy services, subscriptions to stress management apps like Calm or Headspace, or other individual-level interventions. However, these types of services do not address the source of the stress (i.e. the workplace), and what leadership can do to make things like this less stressful on their people.?

An underutilized wellbeing tool in the business world is Change Management. Change management involves a thoughtful process of both analysis of an organization in which a major change needs to be made from a behavioral perspective in order to effectively move the organization forward as a team, and a plan to help carry out that change effectively. In other words, if a company needs to do something differently in order to move fast, how do we put a process in place to educate, support, and listen to the feedback of all of our employees involved to get everyone on board? Lets stop just telling our people what is happening to them (which creates a leadership versus employees dynamic) and make this more of a collaborative process where tough decisions are made but everyone understands why (i.e. reducing uncertainty and anxiety).?

Let’s use an example. Lets say your company wants to change the software everyone uses for their email. Change management asks questions like:?

• Why are we doing this? (Let's talk about the motivation for the change and how it benefits everyone, and communicate that message)
• Who is impacted by this change? (Who we need to inform, educate and support throughout this process)
• How will this change unfold based on both the technical/logistical sides and how do we match that from a people perspective??

From these questions, we then plan a process of change that brings all of our key stakeholders on board so the change is effective and accepted by its users.?

Many organizations either hire a change management practitioner either internally or as an external consultant when changes that affect a lot of people are happening and it needs to be accepted and supported by all employees on the first attempt.?

Change is inevitable and a constant, but the stress it puts on your people doesn’t have to be.?Using change management as a workplace wellbeing tool helps both your business and your people be successful!

The Workplace Psychologist can help your company as an external consultant for change management projects, and has been certified in PROSCI change management. For more information, please reach out to [email protected]

Small Business and Community Workshops in Seattle, Washington

In January, The Workplace Psychologist had the privilege of presenting to the hair stylists at Chroma Salon in Washington on how to be a Mental Health Ally to Colleagues and Clients.

The Workplace Psychologist presents to small businesses that put a focus on the relationships with their clients and may have conversations around mental health and wellbeing. Types of businesses include (But are not limited to):

• Beauty and Wellness Industry Professionals like Hair Stylists, Personal Trainers, Dieticians, or Massage Therapists
• Health Professionals like Veterinarians, Nurses, and other Medical Professionals
• Teachers and Paraprofessional staff
• Hospitality Industry Professionals like Bartenders and Servers
• Financial and Legal Advisors

Interested in having us present to your small business team? Email us at [email protected]