Change … To resist or go with the flow …. That is the question.

Imagine we’re in a comfortable groove playing nice in the sandbox, … and then everything changes.  Change is inevitable.  Things are always changing.  And we get … off balance.

Watch my new 3-minute video about how to embrace change.

When we’re squeezed out of our comfort zone, into the unknown, we feel fear and frustration, and we begin to pass judgment.  But … what if we could decide to change those feelings into something more productive and peaceful.

Fear ⇒ Excitement 
Frustration ⇒ Courage 
Judgment ⇒ Curiosity 

One of the companies I work with has just invested $10 million in their software, to support distributors and customers.  I notice that some of these distributors and customers have decided to be excited, courageous and curious about the potential that this upgrade will deliver over time, and others have decided to be stuck in fear and frustration, and are passing negative judgment on their own company and leadership.  Each has been given the same set of circumstances and the same options to decide from.   

If you could choose between fear and excitement, which would you choose? And why? 

If you could choose between frustration and courage, which would you rather? And why? 

If you could choose between judgment and curiosity, which would you prefer? And why? 

The reason I end each of these questions with ‘why?’ is because you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge.  You can dig deep here and really get honest with yourself as to why you're deciding to be in favour or against the change. 

If you’re standing in excitement, courage, and curiosity, congratulations.  You're very proactive and influential, and your team needs you.  The greatest leaders can’t lead without the commitment of those who follow.  Great decision! But it’s not easy.  Your influential muscles are getting a workout and becoming stronger.  The world needs more people who think like you.   

If you’re standing in fear, frustration, and judgment, know that you’re in charge, this is your sandbox and you get to shift the grains of sand however you decide.  Either decision will cost you energy and effort, the real question becomes, what outcome do you want?   

If you’re leading a change, empathize with how people are thinking and feeling about the change, and how you might change their emotional response to one of excitement, courage, and curiosity.  A first step would be to acknowledge what has been lost.  Don’t miss this step.  The greatest need of the human spirit is the need to FEEL understood, so that empathy is very critical and very valuable. 

Well speaking of change … I’ve got to change my mode from speaking to accounting. Argh!  I mean … Ooohh, I wonder how much money I will have left after I get my taxes done. :)

If you are currently dealing with change and would like to discuss how you might better move through it, contact me, I am here to help.

Remember, your greatest leadership day is with Penny Tremblay!