Coping with Change in the Workplace
How to cope with change in the workplace?
The only constant thing in life is change “Heraclitus”.
Therefore, anyone entering the workforce at any level could expect to
face many changes which are a normal part of life. But these changes are not
always easy to navigate.
No matter what job or industry you are part of you need to learn how to
navigate these experiences. Above all, it is your mindset that will play the
major role in succeeding in it.
I am Jaime Miralles, a Mental Health and Wellbeing Psychotherapist
Nurse, and I support people navigating change in their personal and
professional lives.
What is change in
the workplace?
There are many catalysts for changes in the workplace. For example, in
2020 the biggest drive for the change was COVID-19, which initiated a period of
uncertainty, rapid changes and a disturbance on all organisational levels. All
of this resulted in many businesses changing their focus, expanding and
rethinking their working environment and ultimately, changing their employee
situation, business platforms, products, and provisions. But day-to-day there
are various typical changes in the workplace. For example, getting a new
manager, new colleague, a new role / promotion, and new workplace technology.
Furthermore, the changes could be:
- Government
legislation, regulations and initiatives such as Brexit.
- Growth
opportunities, especially new markets.
- Economic
downturns and challenging trading conditions.
- Funding
cuts.
- Changes
in strategic objectives.
- Technological
developments.
- Customer
and/or supplier issues.
How are employees
and employers affected by change in the workplace?
People are always at the centre of these many changes in the workplace.
Faced with many emotional stages, change can affect everyone differently, but
it is a process. Some will go through all the stages, and some will cope better
than others. But most importantly, it is beneficial to recognize the change and
embrace it. The stages include shock, denial, threat, anger, resistance,
depression, self-doubt, acceptance, exploration, understanding and integration.
It is crucial to understand how to deal with changes at work as these are often
an emotional process. Therefore, emotional awareness by those who lead and
manage change is vital to anticipate and plan for all the reactions.
Change also brings lack of control, and the sense of not being in
control, or not having fully control on a situation, will certainly impact on
emotional responses.
How to manage and
support others through change in the workplace?
It is important that those who lead and manage change are properly
trained and supported. Although any changes might be unique, there are some
common themes which, if you are aware of, can aid the process of change be the
best chance of success.
Firstly, it is vital to acknowledge employee’s feelings – having a safe
space where these feelings can be quickly addressed, allows employees to
express their concerns, ask questions and provide feedback.
Secondly, resistance to change can be expected. Even if the change can
bring all the positive improvements and solutions, it still can be very
troubling for employees. Moving to unknown can elevate anxiety and stress. The
advice is to allow each individua affected by the change move in their pace and
address all the barriers as they come. A personal and supportive dialogue
between a resistant employee and their manager is the most effective way to get
to the root cause of any resistance. In this brings the need to have an
established pattern of open communication, which will reduce the sense of lack
of control or “not knowing” and reduce the impact on emotions. Basically,
employees need to be given enough information about what is being planned, the
rational, what is happening and when.
If you would like to have 15 – 20 minutes FREE informal chat about
your difficulties, please do not hesitate to Contact Me. therapy@online-cbt.com
If you are based in UK you can call NHS direct on 08454647 or 111,
or Samaritans on 116123.
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