The Corporate Couch - May / June 2010


Dear Dr. Mimi,
Recently, upper management enforced many new rules in the policies and procedures at my workplace. We have been doing things the same way for many years now with much success and my coworkers and I are getting frustrated with all of the changes. How can I learn to adapt when all I want to do is revolt?
- No Change


Dear No Change,

Change is inevitable and hard! So what can you do to make it more comfortable and successful?

1. Invest your energy in making quick adjustments to the changes. Don’t focus on what life was like before the new rules or find ways to rebel. Accept that change has occurred. It is better to be a change agent than a change blocker!

2. Determine how the game has changed. Reorder your priorities. Take a step back and learn why the new policies were necessary. This will help you figure our ways to work with the changes and have the changes work for you.

3. Don’t worry about the bad things. Focus on the bright side. Maintain a positive attitude to help you through tough times and long days.

4. Keep in step with the organization’s intended pace of change. Speed up. Don’t drag your feet in this process. Decide to adapt to changes and work with them to help avoid conflict later.

5. Keep a positive attitude and a sense of humor. Encourage others around you and focus on the positive. Be an advocate for the changes. Express the reason why you feel these changes will be positive for your organization.