By Jaimy Ford, business writer
Change is inevitable. That’s for sure. As a new leader, you can expect your fair share of change (upheaval even), and how you handle the turmoil early on can set the tone for the months, or years, ahead.
Beverley Jones, MBA, JD, PCC, author of THINK LIKE AN ENTREPRENEUR, ACT LIKE A CEO: 50 Indispensable Tips to Help You Stay Afloat, Bounce Back, and Get Ahead at Work, has spent four decades helping professionals and leaders thrive in the workplace. She offers these tips for staying calm, steady and productive when change is constant:
- Remember that it is not about you. You aren’t the only person being affected. Your employees, your boss, other coworkers, perhaps even your customers, are experiencing similar pain. Complaining and being angry just makes the situation worse. As a leader, you must keep the big picture in mind and stay focused on moving forward. “Let go of any anger at finding yourself in a game you didn’t sign up for, and concentrate on playing the cards you’ve been dealt,” says Jones.
- Educate yourself. Always be researching the market, your industry and competitors, and the latest trend’s. When you notice a problem, investigate to get to the root of the issue. Learn everything you can about your employees and how they work. Talk with customers to find out what your business can be doing better. The more you know, the better you will be able to quickly address issues as they arise.
- Figure out what your boss wants. As changes occur and challenges come up, ask for a sit down with your boss to talk about your priorities and short-term goals. Once you know what he or she wants, you can become a problem solver, while keeping the organization’s goals in sight, and that helps everyone, especially your supervisor.
- Connect with people. It’s important to build a wide network of experts and professionals you can turn to when business issues come up. However, you also want to build strong relationships with employees, coworkers and your supervisor. “Take the time to listen when you meet someone, join groups, volunteer for projects, and find other ways to get to know people throughout your organization and beyond it,” says Jones. When you have developed strong relationships, it is easier for you to ask for help, gain cooperation and work through troublesome times.
- Take care of yourself. Change is exhausting, so make sure you have the energy and mental capacity to face it. Eat well, work out, make time to relax and have fun, and sleep! “Although working around the clock might be the answer in an emergency, it’s a shortsighted strategy when transition is the new normal. You need sustained energy for the long haul,” advises Jones. Additionally, don’t neglect your personal life. Make time for family, friends, your community, and your hobbies and interests. “Create structures in your life that give you a place to rest when everything at work seems crazy,” says Jones.
Beverly Jones is a master of reinvention. She led university programs for women before trailblazing her career as a Washington lawyer and Fortune 500 energy executive. For 40 years she has helped other professionals and leaders survive and thrive. Since 2002, Jones has built a respected executive coaching and consulting practice, leading retreats and mentoring professionals of all ages to advance their careers, shift directions, or boost their productivity. Based in Washington DC, Jones works with accomplished leaders in Congress, at major federal agencies, NGOs, universities, and large corporations. She is a popular blogger, and her podcasts are distributed through public media.
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