Pro Tip: Coping with change
It’s not just you. Change is hard for everyone.
Part of that is just being human. Evolution made us great at absorbing patterns and generalizing experiences. Over time, we use this to build quick decision-making or easily complete tasks with muscle memory.
Routines give structure and stability. They can help improve our sleep, reduce our stress, and free up our time for cognitive thinking.
So it’s not bizarre that change is hard. It’s disruptive on many levels. But it’s also a part of life.
The good thing is that there are simple steps (dare I say routines?) that can help you and your team better cope with change.
Here are four easy steps to help your team cope with change:
Be clear that change is coming. Like most things, communication is key. Telling employees early and often can help them mentally prepare for a new reality.
Explore the ugly truth. One of the biggest pitfalls is failing to acknowledge all parts of your new reality. Like most things in life, there are probably upsides and there are also probably downsides. Be honest about what those realities could be. Facing worst-case scenarios head on can actually help alleviate stress and normalize expectations.
Check in and then check in again. Adjusting to change can happen at different speeds and in different phases. Sometimes the first wave is a breeze and then weeks later, you feel like you hit a wall. Keep a pulse on how things are going by regularly checking in with your team and maintaining open communication about challenges.
Give space for flexibility. This isn’t just ‘expect the unexpected’ but also a reminder that people are people and sometimes we all may need extra time and care. Be prepared to be flexible and make accommodations to help people adjust and thrive.
Have pro tips for coping with change? Leave them in the comments below.