Change – A View from the Top

I recently heard this statement: “Spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be.”  So, consider the change taking place in the following situation:

At the beginning of the school year, the executive director of a private school announces he is retiring at the end of the school year. So everyone affected has nine months to get used to the idea. Shouldn't be a problem, right?  Well, not until the board completes their search and makes a decision between two final candidates – one internal, one external who had previously taught at the school. Needless to say, a majority of the staff wants the internal candidate chosen, but their hopes are dashed when he's not. 

As soon the announcement is made, the gossip and the rumors start. They aren't just about the new executive director or the internal candidate not chosen. They are rumors about the teachers too – which ones may leave because of the choice. Even the students are getting pulled into the scuttlebutt. 

We discuss this very situation in The Essential Workplace Conflict Handbook. No matter how hard the new leader tries to instill confidence and let the existing staff get to know her, this change can bring conflict out in the open. In this scenario, the new leader won't be starting for several months -- and conflict is already rearing its ugly head. 

What to do?  The current leadership must recognize change causes fear. Respect the fears being manifested and listen to people's concerns. Use the rumor mill to spread accurate information to counter the gossip and negative information that's rampant. Over-communicate. Use every available communication methods to reach the staff (including the teachers), parents and, yes, the students. Be honest with people and treat them with respect. Communicate realistic expectations keeping in mind that everyone wants to know how the changing organization is going to affect them.

Remember, the hardest part of change is getting through it.  The conflict tunnel can be dark, but the light at the end may be brighter than the one at the beginning. You can learn more by reading Chapter 1 of The Essential Workplace Conflict Handbook which discusses What’s New at Work?

Helping Employees Deal with Workplace Stress Tips From The Manager’s Answer Book

Managers in our fast-paced business environment face many challenges but none perhaps greater than how to help employees deal with ever changing priorities and the stress it can cause.  Many people don’t respond well when, just as they’ve started a big project, they’re told that that work is being discontinued or put on hold and now they have to switch to a whole new set of deliverables.

Manager’s Tips:  We address that topic in our latest book—The Manager’s Answer Book.  The question is” This organization moves quickly and priorities shift frequently. This puts a lot of stress on our teams. As a manager, what can I do to mitigate stress for my team?”

Here’s some of the answer:  “I am so glad you recognize that the work environment can be highly stressful to your team—and to you as well. In addition, there’s the reality that your employees are trying to balance work needs with family and life needs. You’re probably not going to be able to change the fast pace of change in your organization, so what can you do?”

• Encourage your employees to take breaks during the day. Even a minute of deep breathing can reduce stress and anxiety.
• Exercise is an important factor in reducing stress. Stretch breaks can work wonders, as can short works outside. Fresh air can be invigorating.
• Be as flexible as possible about time off so that employees can take care of issues in their personal lives. It will give them peace of mind.

For more ideas on how to help your staff deal with stress, see page 84 of The Manager’s Answer Book.

Setting the Stage for 2019

Auld Lang Syne. I’m not trying to rush the end of the year, but before we know it, we’ll be sipping champagne, toasting the arrival of 2019, and making New Year’s resolutions. Not so fast!  Before you announce or commit to changes in the new year, take some time to think and reflect on not just what, but why.

I was talking with a small business owner recently.  She told me she’s planning to increase her firm’s involvement in several social media platforms. When I asked her why, she explained that the firm is planning to introduce a new service line sometime during 2019.  It’s still in the development stage and the full implementation may not happen until the third quarter. However, she recognizes that while she has a solid client base that can take advantage of these new services, she wants to extend her reach and attract new organizations as well. Strengthening the firm’s social media presence will establish them as influencers in their industry. So they are going to launch targeted outreach campaigns to get in front of people and organizations with whom they want to engage. 

Listening to her explanation, I realized that she’d given a great deal of thought to her plan. She understood: 

• What was going to change (adding a new service)
• When the change was going to happen (third quarter 2019)
• What she wanted to accomplish (grow her client base)
• How she was going to accomplish it (targeted social media campaigns)

What does this have to do with New Year’s resolutions?  Everything!  Think about why you make them—other than wanting to shed some bad habits, which is a noble intention. As you think about 2019, ask yourself:

• What went well in 2018, and how can I build on that?
• How can it be better?
• What new beginnings or challenges will 2019 bring?
• What could or should change to meet those challenges?
• How will I go about making those changes?

As you prepare for the year ahead, also give some thought to shedding those things that are redundant – like the report that the department has always prepared (no one knows why anymore) but is never read! What about ways of doing things that are no longer effective?  How could you use the time that was spent preparing that report to accomplish something new that will have greater impact?

Put some deliberate thought into the resolutions and changes you want to make in 2019 in both your professional and personal lives. It’s a great time to break some old habits. Don’t be the person who lets life and change happen to you. Take charge, and make life and change happen for you!

We wish you a very happy holiday season and send you all good wishes for a wonderful 2019!

Cornelia & Barbara