Category Archives: Change

Change, Fear, Leadership

Overcoming the Fear of Change in the Workplace

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file9861310649818“Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what we really want is for things to remain the same but get better.” —Sydney J. Harris

 

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

 

I love the above quote from Sydney Harris; what an oxymoron, we want things to get better but we don’t want anything to change. This applies in both our personal lives and in the workplace. As leaders, our fear of change is compounded in the workplace. We have learned to control people and things the way they are but, what will happen if things change? Will we lose control? Or, might we get left behind? Does the need to change mean we were wrong in the first place? How will change impact our progress? So, how can we overcome the fear of change in the workplace?

This is the way we’ve always done it

We have to start with doing away with the mindset that “this is the way we’ve always done it, so this is the way we’re going to do it.” There is no guarantee that what has worked for us in the past will continue to work for us in the future. In fact, quite the opposite is true. If we don’t challenge the status quo we will not be prepared to meet the demands we will encounter in the future. You must develop the courage to reexamine the situation and reevaluate your thinking. Are your decisions influenced by your biases? How can you be prepared to confront the unexpected and seize new opportunities if you do not encourage and embrace the change and innovation necessary to stay ahead of the pack?

You fear the unknown

Change forces you to step out of your comfort zone; it exposes you to a new world and new experiences. We fear that change is unpredictable and the thought of the unknown can be terrifying. While facing the unknown requires taking on a certain amount of risk, it is also a great way to build confidence and open yourself up to a whole new perspective and a world of new opportunities. To overcome the fear of change in the workplace, learn to embrace the opportunities that await you on the other side of uncertainty.

You think you know everything

When you think you know everything you are going to fear change. Effective change requires the participation of employees throughout your organization. And guess what, you are going to find that some of them know things that you don’t. No one knows everything, not even you. That’s where shared responsibility and cooperation comes into play. Successful organizations capitalize on the individual strengths and knowledge of their employees. To overcome the fear of change in the workplace, learn to accept the fact that you do not, nor should you, know everything.

You don’t trust your employees

In order to overcome the fear of change in the workplace, you must hire the right people, give them the training they need, and then let them do their jobs. When you don’t trust your employees, you will fear change. You will question their ability to make the decisions and take the actions necessary to implement change effectively without disrupting business operations. Encourage an attitude of teamwork and set the example by developing trusting relationships with your employees.

You will lose control

As a leader, your biggest fear is that you will lose control. This fear is magnified whenever change is involved. This fear rolls the fear of the unknown, thinking that you know everything, and lack of trust in your employees into a demon that will kill any effort at change, innovation, and progress. If you fear the loss of control you probably have a micromanagement problem. Employees need to feel competent and in control of their own work. Micromanagement and excessive control undermines relationships, trust, engagement, performance, and loyalty. To overcome the fear of change in the workplace, focus on helping your teams work well together and make sure employees are engaged and feel valued instead of fearing that you will lose control.

Overcome the Fear of Change

Things cannot get better yet remain the same. Change is a necessity; we must change or we become obsolete. As a leader, you must learn to be comfortable questioning the status quo. Then, you must embrace the change that is required to achieve success today, tomorrow, and into the future.

 

© 2016 Elizabeth Stincelli

 

Liz Stincelli is passionate about recognizing and inspiring the leader in each of us. She is the Founder of Stincelli Advisors where she focuses on helping organizations engage employees and improve organizational culture. Liz holds a Doctor of Management degree with an emphasis on organizational leadership.

Learn more about Liz by visiting her website, stincelliadvisors.com and connect with her on Twitter @infinitestin, Google+, and LinkedIn. You can contact her by email at stincelliadvisors@gmail.com.

 

Change, Inspiration, Leadership

Inspiring Change, One Person at a Time

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“Things do not change; we change.”—Henry David Thoreau

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

 

Inspiring Change

Henry David Thoreau’s words serve as a strong reminder that only through changing ourselves do we change our circumstances. Just as leaders are not born, but are built by day-to-day behaviors, so are the changes in your organization. When you develop and encourage your employees, they become the change that you desire for your organization.  The attention you give, the support you provide, and the example that you set shines as a beacon, inspiring change, one person at a time.

So, how can you inspire others to change?

Vision

The Dalai Lama said, “In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.” If you want to inspire in others the desire to change as individuals, in order to spur change in your organization, you must put forth a strong, vivid vision that they can buy into. Everyone needs a clear understanding of where the organization is headed and how their activities contribute. You must create a sense of inclusion where every employee understands the role they play in working towards a worthwhile, positive vision.

Engagement

Rupert Murdoch believes, “In motivating people, you’ve got to engage their minds and their hearts.” You can’t bully or manipulate people into lasting change. They must follow you through thick and thin because they want to, because they are engaged, and they believe in you. Help your employees find their calling, engage them in using their talents for the good of the organization. Make their work meaningful. Build trust, help them develop their skills, and then give them control over their own work tasks. Help them succeed and then give credit for a job well done. When you invest in and engage employees, they become better and, as they become better, your organization becomes stronger.

Opportunity

Albert Einstein told us, “All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.” Only when you give others the opportunity to develop and grow as individuals will they become more valuable. And, only through increasing the value of individuals, can you bring about true and lasting change. Give employees the opportunity to be involved. Encourage them to dig deeper and challenge the status quo. As a leader, give of your time, sharing your knowledge and experience with employees to help them to grow and become the best they can be.

One Person at a Time

Change is built and sustained through everyday action, one person at a time. When you invest in helping your employees become the best they can be, you will build a strong capacity for lasting change. Put forth a compelling, positive vision that each employee can be part of. Engage them in their work; provide them the skills and resources necessary and then give them control. Open the doors of opportunity so employees can continue to grow. If you want change, you must inspire it, one person at a time.

 

 

© 2015 Elizabeth Stincelli

 

Elizabeth Stincelli is passionate about recognizing and inspiring the leader in each of us. She is the CEO of Stincelli Advisors where she focuses on helping organizations engage employees and improve organizational culture. Elizabeth holds a Doctor of Management degree with an emphasis on organizational leadership.

Learn more about Elizabeth by visiting her website, stincelliadvisors.com and connect with her on Twitter @infinitestin, Google+, and LinkedIn. You can contact her by email at stincelliadvisors@gmail.com.