Many of us desperately crave change at work, and yet we’re uncomfortable and terrified when it occurs. But change is inevitable (and necessary for businesses to survive and thrive), so you’ll need to learn how to overcome those fears.
“There are many people who fear change at work for a variety of reasons,” says Michael Kerr, an international business speaker, author and president of Humor at Work. “Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of looking stupid and fear of the unknown.”
Most employees respond to internal changes in their work environment with nervousness and resistance because change for most people “raises questions about contribution, and they associate it with negativity,” says Sara Menke, the founder and chief executive of Premier, a boutique staffing firm in San Francisco. “They think, What am I doing wrong to make my employer think that things should change?” Excerpted from Forbes
It’s perfectly normal and healthy to be a bit fearful, confused or unsettled by workplace changes at first. The unhealthy part occurs with inappropriate or unhelpful responses. Fighting change or presenting a negative attitude will not help you transition through the process. The intelligent and mature strategy is to look for avenues to adjust to the change and thrive in the new environment.
It's also helpful to talk with colleagues, your partner, or your friend. This will not only make you feel better, but remind you that you’re not alone. And designate “worry time.” Worrying interferes with your productivity and overall mood, so don’t let it spill over into every part of your work day. If you’re worried about the changes, designate a time each day when you’re going to focus on those fears - preferably outside of the work day. But also use that time to overcome those fears.
Change is hard - hard enough when it's self-imposed, but much more nerve-wracking when it's brought on from where you earn your livelihood. By applying these insights, you really can navigate change gracefully and use it to your advantage.
“There are many people who fear change at work for a variety of reasons,” says Michael Kerr, an international business speaker, author and president of Humor at Work. “Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of looking stupid and fear of the unknown.”
Most employees respond to internal changes in their work environment with nervousness and resistance because change for most people “raises questions about contribution, and they associate it with negativity,” says Sara Menke, the founder and chief executive of Premier, a boutique staffing firm in San Francisco. “They think, What am I doing wrong to make my employer think that things should change?” Excerpted from Forbes
It’s perfectly normal and healthy to be a bit fearful, confused or unsettled by workplace changes at first. The unhealthy part occurs with inappropriate or unhelpful responses. Fighting change or presenting a negative attitude will not help you transition through the process. The intelligent and mature strategy is to look for avenues to adjust to the change and thrive in the new environment.
It's also helpful to talk with colleagues, your partner, or your friend. This will not only make you feel better, but remind you that you’re not alone. And designate “worry time.” Worrying interferes with your productivity and overall mood, so don’t let it spill over into every part of your work day. If you’re worried about the changes, designate a time each day when you’re going to focus on those fears - preferably outside of the work day. But also use that time to overcome those fears.
Change is hard - hard enough when it's self-imposed, but much more nerve-wracking when it's brought on from where you earn your livelihood. By applying these insights, you really can navigate change gracefully and use it to your advantage.
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