Fall is here. The color of the leaves on the trees are changing and falling to the ground. The cool breeze is blowing and winter is right around the corner. It happens around the same time year after year. Sometimes here in Michigan it’s already snowed by now while at other times it’s 70 degrees this time of year. Managing change in the workplace can be like dealing with unpredictable weather. We all know the change of weather is coming, but we can’t plan it out to the exact day.
Here in Michigan we have our ice scrapers, umbrellas and those window shade things to keep our cars cool in our cars. Some of us leave the ice scrapers in the car 365 days a year just in case. We are prepared for whatever happens. We have multiple quick fixes for what the weather throws at us. We are ready for change in the weather, but sometimes not ready for change in the workplace.
Helping Employees Deal With Change In The Workplace
Change in the workplace happens as unexpectedly as changing weather sometimes. Helping employees deal with change in the workplace is something you need to plan for. Change might not be here right this very minute and you might not even think it’s going to happen, but it can.
Just like having the ice scrapers and umbrellas in your car in case of change in the weather you need a plan in place in case various things happen.
I used to work in a hospital when I was in high school. They’d have emergency drills for various disasters. It was never the same exact disaster so the employees would be prepared for everything. You need the same action plan for things that could happen with your company.
Change can mean different things to different people. There are some people that just go with the flow and keep moving forward while others don’t. We all know people that some super tiny change can send them out of control. We have to know how to deal with all types of employees when it comes to some sort of change in the workplace. Some might need an extra little TLC.
What things could happen to your business, community, your life in general that could change your business? Is the road in front of your business going to be repaired and your parking lot blocked for weeks on end? Is a weather disaster going to happen that will out you out of business tomorrow? Will there be a death in the company that will put everything on hold until you get someone to replace that person (if they can ever be replaced)? These are things that could happen in an instant that you need to be prepared for.
People want to think that everything is wonderful and will continue to be like that. They don’t want to worry anyone with disaster drills or by asking them to have a plan in place for failure.
When managing change in the workplace or preparing for the time you’ll need to be helping employees in the workplace, you need to focus on the positive.
Focus On The Positive
Focusing on the positive can sometimes be easier said than done. By preparing your employees for what could happen and the hopefully positive outlook on what things will be like once the dust settles it will make it easier on them. Prepared employees are less stressed. Less stressed people get the job done better.
When you fly somewhere the flight attendants go over the emergency scenarios before the plane even takes off. In case of a water landing where is your life preserver? Yes, it’s under your seat or in some cases your seat cushion can be used as a floatation device. They point out the exits, teach you how to use the oxygen mask and advice you to put yours on before helping others.
They ask you to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others so you don’t pass out. You need to be prepared to help. They focus on the things that will help you hopefully survive. We all know what could really happen, but they focus on the positive while preparing you for a possibly negative outcome.
Get A Plan In Place
Have plans in place before something happens, just like the airlines do. Get your employees on the same page and let them know what is going to happen. Don’t just spring it on all of them right when it happens. I’m not saying get all 1,000 employees together and worry them that if such and such happens they might all be out of work. This might make some look for other employment and jump ship before the storm. Have meetings for department heads, managers, etc. to go over “in case of emergency” scenarios. If A happens then go to B. If B happens go to C.
Have An Open Mind When Dealing With Change In The Workplace
Even as a company or department leader you still need to listen to what your employees have to say. Some have wonderful ideas while other don’t. Don’t totally block out the feedback from others. During stressful times even some great leaders can get overloaded and breakdown. By having everyone onboard and working as a team will help your ship sail through the rough waters a bit easier.
People that feel like they are important and part of a team tend to stick with their team. People that feel like they don’t matter tend to not be great workers and seem to always be looking for other places of employment or not giving 100% to the company they work for.
A few years ago I did a presentation in Scottsdale, Arizona for Arpin Van Lines. They wanted someone to motivate and entertain their employees. They decided my motivational entertainment would be the perfect fit.
They were going through a little tough time with their company because of the recession at the time and their CEO had to deliver a speech that was a bit gloomy. Other van lines had canceled their yearly meetings and left their employees handing a bit and unmotivated.
Arpin Van Lines knew they had to have their yearly meeting and get everyone back on track. I followed the CEO and was able to turn some of his comments, which could have seemed gloomy to his employees and made them uplifting and gave them hope.
Your employees need to hear the truth whenever possible, but also have to have some hope to know they’ll get through it. I’ve done the same for Reebok and other companies as well.
As you starting managing change in the workplace you might find you need someone from outside of your company to come in and inspire them to do better. That’s what I do best. If you are interested in having me motivate, entertain and inspire your employees, just like I’ve done for Arpin Van Lines, Reebok, Ford Motor Company, Hitachi, Toyota and many, many more, let me know.
Show them you still care, are there to go on this journey with them and appreciate their hard work through whatever transition your company is going through. I’m here to help if you need me. When you hire me for your sales meeting, awards banquet, convention, corporate retreat or other event it’s like getting a motivational speaker and corporate entertainer all rolled into one.
I look forward to inspiring and motivating your employees to make the change a lot easier for them. I look forward to working with you.