The photo of Michelle Obama holding a sign that says "An immigrant is taking my job” has made it to my LinkedIn feed. Although fake and inappropriate, it certainly sparks a discussion about immigration. As an immigrant, I am grateful for the incredible opportunity to build a new life in the land of the free and the home of the brave. As an experienced business professional striving to stay on top of industry and business trends, I feel I can confidently state that most economists tend to agree that immigration is good for the economy. As a human resources professional, it was my duty to ensure compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act and verify and document the identification of employees using the Employment Eligibility Form I-9. However, for me, more than anything, this photo made me think about change management and managing change we didn’t ask for.
Change has always been an inevitable part of life. In our work life, major changes are all too common from any new business initiatives to reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, downsizing, and changes in leadership. Such times create a lot of uncertainty about job security, work duties and priorities, corporate culture, and new reporting structures. When the game of corporate musical chairs is under way, we need to plan ahead to avoid being lost in the shuffle. To weather any professional storms and ride out the rocky waves of transition, we need a plan to make the most of every opportunity. The following 3 principles offer an effective strategy for coping with organizational change:
#1: Keep Calm & Become a Beacon of Positivity
We’ve all formed coping strategies and habits over the years. But we can make a decision to choose different engagement styles and aspire to be more like those people who keep a positive attitude and the smile on their face through difficult times.
“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.” ~Mahatma Gandhi
Embrace change and stay open to the possibilities and opportunities. Attitude is contagious. Approaching situations with a positive attitude is a gift to yourself and to the people around you.
#2: Stay Plugged-in
When organizational changes occur, those who are willing to work harder or longer may have an advantage. Responsiveness is often associated with high performance. However, it is just as important to stay abreast of the most up-to-date information to identify any organizational needs. Stay in tune with others and look at change at all levels across the organization and outside the company. Get involved by joining a committee, a project, or extra-curricular activities. Proactively ask constructive questions to get informed.
“You can’t stand in your corner of the forest, waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” ~ Winnie the Pooh
Keep informed. Get involved. Network effectively to exchange information with those who would be able to help you professionally.
#3: Re-engage
Make meaningful contributions. Ask yourself whether you are performing to your potential and if others would consider you as a valuable player. Be a part of the solution and look for ways to bring value.
“When you’re engaged in what you love to do, it’s like driving in the fast lane. Time flies by and more roads open up to you, alternate routes you may not have known existed. ~ T. Harv Eker
Change happens. The only effective strategy is to embrace it, or get flattened as it rolls over us. Once you've successfully survived organizational change, avoid the trap of becoming complacent. Always be prepared for future changes. Keep developing your skills and enhancing your value to the company. Become your own career coach and act as if you are in business for yourself.
