Blog

The only constant is change.

13/06/2022 by Arlete Amoroso





"The only constant is change."
 
This famous phrase, more than 2,500 years old, by the philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, is still valid today.
 
The world has changed! Changes happen all the time: in the economy, in the environment, socially, politically and in organizations. All this generates feelings that destabilize everyone.
 
With that comes the need to become more comfortable and open to change.
 
In the corporate world, every leader has had the experience of communicating an organizational change: a new system, process, restructuring. And often, the team's response to change is not positive and comes with a list of reasons why we should continue exactly as we are.
 
How to make it less painful?
 
Organizational transformation happens when we connect the minds, hearts and behaviors of the people who will be impacted.
 
In her book "Change from the inside out", Erika Andersen gives 4 tips on how leaders can help teams, mobilizing the people who will bring change to life:

 •   Increase clarity about the change: What is the change? Why is it happening? What is the best post-change future?
 •   Clarify and reinforce priorities: make clear what changes, what doesn't, and what is a priority.
 •   Offer all the possible choices during change. It will lessens fear and discomfort and increases the chances of engagement.
 •   Give constant support on changes that will affect people. Listen, welcome their feelings.

As a leader, when you understand that fear and hesitation are part of the initial process of change and support people on this journey, you leave a mark on your legacy contributing to develop skills, mindset, more open to change people. And, as a consequence , they will be able to navigate more smoothly in the face of all the changes that are yet to come.