Change Management as a Workplace Wellbeing Tool
Candice Balluru (Schaefer), PhD, ABPP, BCC
Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being Consultant | Executive Burnout Coach | Advisor | Keynote Speaker
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:?
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]
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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):
Interested in having us present to your small business team? Email us at [email protected]
Holistic Nutritionist, Workplace Wellness Strategy, Holistic Stress Mastery, Executive Wellness Leadership, Certified Mindful Leader at Holistic Wellness Advantage Inc.
1 年Well said. I've seen it happen when the business leader is so focused on the business goals, they forget (or intentionally ignore) the people involved in generating that business are human and their work is important to them too. True leaders care for the people involved and impacted, and don't treat people like they're an inconvenience and don't matter. That breaks people. It makes people not care about their work, or worse, be angry about it, and leave jobs to work elsewhere.
Certified Executive Coach (CEC/ACC) | Equipping Leaders, Teams, and Business to Thrive | Founder & CEO | Keynote Speaker | Host of The Working Well Podcast
1 年So true! Too many executive leaders forget the last part about not breaking your people. It’s not just bad for people, it’s horrible for business in the long term.
?????? Communication Specialist | Change Management & Digital Adoption Consultant | Employee Experience Lover
1 年Absolutely, thanks for sharing! Change management isn't just about implementing new processes; it's about ensuring our people feel supported and valued throughout transitions. ??
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1 年Thanks for sharing this insightful perspective and offering solutions to ease the process!