Coping with Changes in the Work Place

Purpose

This program is designed to help participants:

anticipate how they will respond to change

develop resilience so they can successfully manage the effects of change

Objectives

By the end of this seminar you will be able to:

identify 2-3 ways that change impacts you and others

specify the two stages of transition people experience when responding to change

understand the five attributes of resilient people

develop a personal action plan of specific change management strategies

Agenda

Defining ChangeThe Stages of TransitionCommon Reactions to ChangeManaging Change with ResilienceSuccessful Coping StrategiesDeveloping a Personal Action PlanResourcesSuggested ReadingSummary and Evaluation

To achieve the stated seminar goals and objectives, we will cover the following topics:

“Great opportunities are sometimes disguised as insolvable problems.”

Endings

The Neutral Zone

Beginnings

The Stages of Transition

“Never let yesterday use up today.”

Stage I: Endings

Stage II: The Neutral Zone“When it rains, look for the

rainbow.”

“Tomorrow is a new adventure to explore.”

Stage III: Beginnings

How to Handle Your Reactions to Change

Accept that your feelings are the natural result of being in an uncomfortable situation

Talk with people you can trust about your thoughts and feelings

Give yourself time to deal with change

Take the time to acknowledge and grieve the losses that change brings

How to Handle Your Reactions to Change

Get as much information as you can about how or if your job will change

Be flexible and open-minded

Allow extra time for usual tasks if you are having trouble concentrating

Do something each day that you find rewarding and satisfying

How to Handle Your Reactions to Change

Allow yourself time to re-evaluate your personal and professional goals

Consider all possible options

Look for ways to positively impact the way your work group recovers from the changes

Take a long weekend; don’t forget to have fun and enjoy what you have

Resilience

The Ability to Return to the Original

State or Form After Being Stretched, Compressed or

Bent

Five Characteristics of Resilient People

Positive

Focused

Flexible

Organized

Proactive

Positive Tips

Use a journal where you can maintain a list of daily accomplishments

Accept compliments and praise from others unconditionally

Concentrate on becoming better at a new task rather than being perfect

Practice using positive “self-talk” phrases

Read the book Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin Seligman, Ph.D.

“We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust our sails.”

Focused Tips

Visualize yourself, as you would like to be in one year. Put a sign or picture on your mirror or desk to remind you of your vision

Set specific short, medium and long-range goals

Ask someone you trust to review your goals and give you specific feedback and suggestions to improve them

Flexible Tips

Swap sides in a discussion where you disagree with someone — you argue their side and ask them to argue your side

Identify someone who may typically approach things differently than you — ask them for input on your change initiative. Listen to their ideas without interrupting or passing judgment

Drive a new and unfamiliar route to work or a friend’s house — look for and appreciate what’s different from your usual route

Organized Tips

Purchase and use a day planner

Take a few moments to think through and list the key steps you need to accomplish a new task before you tackle it

Put pieces of paperwork and important information in clearly marked files and put them in an accessible place

Break down a problem into smaller pieces, and then tackle the easiest one first

Proactive Tips

Develop plans for managing the worst-case scenario that might result from your change initiative

Practice assessing the risks about your situation or change initiative by listing all the pros and cons you can think of

During change implementation meetings, ask questions and gather information

“A sense of humor reduces people

and problems to their proper size.”

Successful Coping Strategies

Physical HealthEat nutritional food

Exercise regularly

Get sufficient sleep

Avoid excessive use of alcohol and caffeine

Practice deep breathing

Get a massage

Enjoy the outdoors

Practice meditation/yoga

Successful Coping Strategies

Emotional HealthAcknowledge and share your feelings

Make a list of personal strengths, skills and resources

Focus on the present moment

Set limits-learn to say “NO”

Use humor-laugh, have fun

Limit unnecessary changes

Examine and adjust your attitude

Set aside time for yourself

Successful Coping Strategies

Change Management

Give yourself sufficient time for change

Set realistic expectations and goals

Focus on 1-2 change strategies at a time

Think in terms of small steps

Review and reward your progress daily

Ask questions; gather information

“Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing

someone the chance to be helpful.”