The only constant in life is change




The only constant in life is change.

Heraclitus was right when he said that – change is the only constant in life.  It couldn’t be truer than in today’s work environment.  Staff change, the NDIS seems to be ALWAYS changing, our participants change, and companies restructure, grow  and reorganise.

Unfortunately, change isn’t always easy. A study from the Australian Psychological Association (APA) found that organizational changes such as restructuring or new leadership can lead to employees who are overly stressed, have less trust in their employers, and have a greater desire to find new jobs. While coping with change in the workplace can be challenging, there are ways to make it easier. Here are my top five tips for dealing with change in a way that will benefit you and your career:

1.  Embrace new opportunities

According to Ian McClarty, “The silver lining to any change in the workplace is opportunity, often to add new skills to your repertoire or work with new team members.” Change often translates to possibility for those who are willing to embrace it. For example, reorganisations or growth can create new positions, new divisions or departments, or a chance to create a new job title.

2.  Maintain Relationships

Make an effort to stay connected to previous co-workers and continue to expand your network. Don’t forget about the people you've already had the chance to work with because they could become extremely beneficial to you in the future. If you're like many professionals and haven't kept in touch with your contacts, don’t hesitate to start up that relationship again. Think of it as a win-win situation—you never know when you might need each other down the road.

3.  Accept rather than resist

There are generally two types of coping: escape coping and active coping. Escape coping is a form of coping that involves changing our behavior to try to avoid thinking or feeling things that are uncomfortable. Active coping is a form of coping that allows us to tackle a problem head-on. This approach is healthier because you are addressing the stress, rather than avoiding it. Ultimately the most important thing to do to cope with change in the workplace is to acknowledge it. Recognizing and accepting change is one of the first steps toward managing it.

4.  Communicate

When things are changing at work, communication is critical. Any communication gaps can instantly be filled by rumors and speculation, which create even more fear and uncertainty around the idea of change. If you can effectively communicate your concerns to co-workers and managers within the organization, your anxiety can be better addressed and alleviated.

5.  Communicate – with the right people!

Often when we have problems at work or we are frustrated we express this – but to the wrong people!  Although “blowing off steam” with a co-worker may seem like a good idea, it can actually feed rumours and not give you any resolution.Instead, seek out a Team Leader or Manager for supervision and ask for clarification.  Approaching us as your EAP provider to discuss how you can actively cope with change – and even mediate conversations between yourself and your manager – can also bring resolution.

Change in the workplace is here to stay. While it can be disruptive and uncomfortable, there are benefits to change, like promoting the development of new skills and bolstering innovation. With the right attitude and a specific set of actions, you can find the opportunity in any situation. Learn to embrace change, and you'll start to appreciate it for what it is: the chance to grow.

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