Change Happens: Part 4 – acknowledging change

Whether we like change or not, change is happening around us all the time. It’s happening in our personal lives, our professional lives and in the world at large.

Although we may be tempted to deny the reality of change, the sooner we can acknowledge that change is happening the better we will be when it comes to accepting/coping with it.

When it comes to dealing with change there are two initial healthy  acknowledging responses we can have. We can either accept change and jump on board to support it, or we can find ways to cope with change if we disagree with the change being made.

It would be foolish to think that everyone is going to fully accept every change that is taking place in their life, however many changes are worth accepting. In these situations when you are in support of a change, there are three important steps that you can take to help things continue in a positive way.

1. Encourage the leader making the change. This will provide them with the support and encouragement needed to continue down what might be a very difficult path.
2. Implement the change. It is one thing to give lip service praising the change, it is another to incorporate the change into your situation.
3. Become an evangelist for the change. There is nothing more powerful than having people who accept the change begin to share their satisfaction with others.

If you don’t agree with a particular change you still have to find a way to cope with it. Denial never gets you anywhere. This does not mean that you have be gung-ho about it, but it does mean that you have to deal with it until the next change comes about. You can begin coping with a change you disagree with by doing the following.

1. Understand that change is a part of life. You may not agree with the change but it is important to acknowledge the fact that change is always going to come.
2. Address the leader making the change. If you have a problem with a change, talk to the person/people making the change in a respectful manner. This means going to them in person and sharing your perspective. Do not gossip about them, post nasty things on social media sites, etc. You may not agree with the changes being made but you can still be respectful towards the person making them.
3. Understand the underlying value that is being addressed. It is unfair to make judgements about a change if you do not understand the reasons for making them.
4. Suggest other alternatives. Good leaders are open to hearing other perspectives because they want to do what is right. They want to make decisions that are going to be helpful and positive.
5. Move on. If after taking these steps you are still in opposition to a change, it is important to begin trying to move on (this is easier said than done). You will only hurt yourself and others by harboring resentment and anger about a change that you do not agree with.

There is no doubt about the fact that change is hard; especially when you don’t agree with it. But it is an inevitable part of life and we must acknowledge that.

Although I have found theses steps to be helpful in my own life and leadership ventures, what other tips and tools do you have for acknowledging change?

Change Happens Part 1 – Why is Change so Hard?

Change Happens Part 2 – Creating Change

Change Happens Part 3 – Communicating Change