Had a wonderful day yesterday with some positively “electrical” folks in Tampa FL as we talked about CHANGE.  We discussed the things that we do that make CHANGE harder than it needs to be.  And of course we also talked about things that we do that makes CHANGE easier. 

One of the ideas we discussed was the importance of quickly seeking to understand and align ourselves with the desired outcomes of organizational change so we could avoid becoming a stumbling block to the change efforts of others or the organization.  If we don’t get on board quickly we risk earning the label of those who are not ”bought in” - we also risk getting trapped in some sinister cynical cycle of criticism.  We must seek to align ourselves with the change by seeking to understand it’s necessity and desired outcome (we are not required to like it, agree with it, or even be excited about it…at least initially). 

We certainly don’t want to join those sitting back with their arms folded across their chest conveying an attitude that “I’m not sold on this change yet, and until you satisfy all my issues and resolve all my concerns I will be digging in my heals and becoming a sulking, hulking obstinate obstacle.  That all about me, self focus stops us from seeing and serving the potentially greater needs of others and in fact selfishly makes the change they are trying to get through even harder.

Change can often be very difficult.. letting go, beginning again, now knowing how it will end and many other factors can make it hard.  But almost always it is our own attitudes and choices that end up making change much harder than it needs to be.

Instead we must take the focus off of ourselves and how it is going to affect “us” - and as quickly as we can start reaching out to assist others in understanding and aligning themselves with the needed / required change.  Any time wasted complaining or whining is just that…”time wasted”.  And since time is simply a measure of life…that is life wasted.   Granted some people need more time than others to process things….but processing need not be filled with negative energy, nor take excessive amounts of time.

Assisting others in and through challenging change is one of the best ways I have ever found to aid my own journey down that same changed path.  How about you?  What helps you deal with challenges of change?

Kirk Out