Leading through change is one of the most challenging and yet rewarding aspects of leadership. In times of uncertainty, leaders set the tone by their clarity, compassion and outlook on the change occurring.
Change isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It can bring about a lot of mixed emotions. Some get excited by change and others may appear to show resistance. All of these emotions are valid, and it’s the leaders role to acknowledge that these feelings exist while maintaining a steady focus on the bigger picture.
Leaders should spend time communicating a clear vision and the why behind the change. In my experience, anyone can get behind change, but it’s usually the lack of details provided that leave people resistant or hesitant to the change. Communicating the details helps leaders build trust within their teams, helps teams understand how their roles and contributions fit into this change, and allows people the time to ask questions and plan for the change.
And the communication doesn’t stop here. Leaders need to continually be transparent during this change because it reduces the fear of the unknown. We know all too well, that no news, is never filled in with good news.
So let's shift our mindset. Change isn’t just about achieving something new. It’s about guiding and supporting each other through the process. And this takes a lot of empathy – a skill that is hugely overlooked. Empathy plays a critical role in change, listening to concerns and creating an environment where team members feel valued, supported, appreciated and motivated to adapt. If leaders can embrace this type of coaching mindset, change will move from being seen as a disruption to the workplace, to an opportunity for innovation.
Here are a few questions to touch base with your team the next time change is happening.
• How do you feel about the changes we are experiencing?
• What information or resources for you need to feel more confident about this change?
• What can I do to support you better during this change?
• Do you have any ideas to help us adapt more easily to this change?
• What do you feel success looks like when we have fully implemented this?
Team Human Conversation
Fight workplace zombies in your organization and join Team Human! Gather a group of fellow workplace zombie hunters to discuss our most recent blog post. Use the questions below to kick-start your conversation.
How do you help your team see change as an opportunity for innovation rather than just disruption?
What lessons have you learned from leading change that have shaped your leadership approach?
How do you keep communication transparent and ongoing to reduce the fear of the unknown?
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