How successful people maximize their potential during times of change
Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited as saying: “There is nothing permanent except change.”
How right he was.
Look around you. How many things in your life today are different from how they were three years ago? One year ago? One month ago? Change is a constant, and it continues to shape our lives personally and professionally.
So why is change difficult for so many? And how can each of us as individuals approach change in a positive and meaningful way?
I recently went online to search for information on how to operate in a dynamic or changing environment. The results weren’t promising. The results generally fell into one of two categories: how to change your operating system, or how to lead organizations through change.
While the “leading through change” information could be helpful and relevant, we are not all leaders. And even though some of us are leaders, we are still a part of the workforce outside of our leadership roles.
So I stepped back and thought about things that I have observed or experienced that have helped people to maximize their potential -- especially when they are in a dynamic or challenging environment.
When we are in a changing environment, there are many things that we can’t control or influence, but there are also things that we can control. The most important thing that we can control is “how we show up”. In the midst of the change and uncertainty, how do you show up – this is completely in our individual control. When I think about that, I think of 4 key areas:
- Choose Your Attitude
- Understand the Values of the Organization and Leadership & Translate Your Contributions in those Terms
- Communicate with Impact
- Be a Team Player and Take Care of Each other
Whether you’ve recently experienced an organizational change, taken on a new role, or had a new leader appointed, these focus areas can help you to benefit personally and professionally.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be talking about each of these topics in detail, with examples and applications that I’ve experienced or witnessed. I am excited to share my experiences, and I invite you to share yours in the comments. Your perspective will really help people, so I look forward to you stories!!
MAII at Anne Arundel County DPW
8 年I also would like to comment regarding managers and how they promote change to their employees. Involve them and ask for their input it makes them feel apart of the process and they are more apt to accept the change easier. This is maintaining the team attitude not only as an Indian but as a Chief as well.
MAII at Anne Arundel County DPW
8 年Being proactive is helpful. Those times when we know change is about to happen, look and see what we can do to usher it in. When my organization decided to move into Japan I immediately went to my VP and asked who was going to do the billing. He asked if I was interested and I immediately jumped on it.
Co-Owner, A&W Island Mart, LLC,; Sr.. Aviation Planning Analyst - Veteran, U.S. Army
8 年Hello, and Good Day Stephanie C. Hill, Please consider my salutation, as just a kind act of giving flowers through greetings to inspire a smile. I believe the world-over could use a bit more of these, and since I smile every day, I thought I'd pass one on to you my (hopeful) new, valued networking friend. Well I am happy to introduce myself to an honored professional of your caliber. I'm Will Penn, a distinguished, retired US Army veteran, and currently working in the aviation industry. I’ve also recently joined the endeavors of a friend, as a Brand Ambassador supporting Veteran, and civilian jobseekers. I consistently work to expand my network, and it would be an honor to add you to my honored circle of professional’s here on LinkedIn. At your convenience, I invite you to review my profile, for as they say here on LinkedIn "All profile views matter". If you have a passion for success and a commitment to greatness, we have at least two things in common. If you warrant the justification to connect, I'd be elated to have you within my network. "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”. Thanks for your time & consideration of my request, and I wish you a very prosperous day indeed! Respectfully, Will Penn - [email protected] “Always be yourself, express yourself, and have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality, and duplicate it.” - Bruce Lee
Program Manager at US EPA
8 年Great post.