“Change is inevitable. It’s direction that counts.” ~ Gil Atkinson, inventor
We all know change is inevitable, even when we’d prefer it wasn’t. The successful among us learn to embrace that inevitability and use it to our advantage.
Like the bamboo plant, we must be strong and flexible to have success. And that includes how we handle changes in circumstance, information, or the environment. It’s crucial to combine faith in our plans and abilities with an openness to feedback and to making necessary adjustments.
Understanding the 5 stages of change can help you recognize where you are now, and what to do as you progress through the change. It can also help to better understand how others are experiencing it.
Stage 1: Acceptance of the change
Stage 2. Pain or discomfort at the change
Stage 3. Power (regaining it through successfully embracing change)
Stage 4. Harmony (being in tune with the change)
Stage 5. What’s next (predicting and preparing for the impact of the change)
When we’re prepared for change, things go more smoothly. People need the most support in Stages 1 and 2. Rely on your peers and your Bamboo Circle™ to help you through these stages. Face change knowing that you have within you the power to respond to it with grace, flexibility, and strength. To find out more about how you can successfully handle change, read Chapter 20, Change Happens in Water The Bamboo®: Unleashing The Potential Of Teams And Individuals.
7 Tips for Weathering Change:
- Acknowledge the change, then re-group and stay committed to what matters.
- Find out as much as you can about what to expect now that things have changed. Ask lots of open-ended questions and listen to the answers.
- Step back to get perspective. Be patient.
- Remember what’s at stake. Why is it important to weather this change well?
- Find support – mentors, colleagues, other resources, etc.
- Build in time for rest. Do things to release your stress, such as exercising. Breathe.
- Don’t expect people to move through the stages of change at the same rate.
