Managing Change

It’s a bit of an understatement to say that 2020 brought seismic changes to the way we operate professionally. While we have, for the most part, adapted well, it doesn’t take away from the fact that change, even minor change, can be incredibly difficult. As leaders, it can be difficult to manage the exhaustion team members feel in an environment where nothing seems constant or consistent. To help mitigate this change fatigue, first embrace empathy and give people hope. For many, the turmoil felt in their personal lives is bleeding over into their professional ones, and simple process changes that may seem insignificant can create a spiral effect. With that in mind, communicate change in the clearest terms possible. Although there may not be answers at every step in the process, make sure you state what the changes are and why the change is valuable to employees. It can also help tremendously if employees feel like stakeholders in the change itself. Ask for input and feedback throughout the process and adapt meaningfully when possible.