Issue 24
Prairie Grains Magazine
1999

Prairie Grains is the official publication of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, South Dakota Wheat, Inc. and the Minnesota Barley Growers Assocation.

Copyright Prairie
Grains Magazine
Nov/Dec  1999

Strategies to help deal with change

By LaVon Steiner
Strategic Planning Specialist

I lost a friend today.  He and his wife and daughter were killed in a head-on collision in Turkey.  We have worked together on a national committee for seven years.  It's a jolt.  Funny how this gives a new perspective on life and work.  I  see how fast we move through life, and how little we live.  I'm thinking today about how we can deal with increasing change more effectively and with less stress.  I'm thinking about how we will succeed in the future when the pace is faster than today.  I'm thinking life is short.

TOO MUCH TOO FAST

In 1970, Alvin Toffler described the symptoms of a new disease he  called 'future shock."  According to Toffler, future shock was a psychobiological condition induced by subjecting individuals to "too much change in too short of time."  Toffler argued that technological and social changes were taking place so rapidly that people could no longer adapt to them.  He said, "Unless man quickly learns to control the rate of change in his/her personal affairs as well as in society at large, we are doomed to a massive adaptational breakdown."

In 1999, change is not the issue anymore, in fact, it's a way of life. Workers and managers alike face unfamiliar challenges and new demands in the fast moving, unforgiving "business climate" of the 21st century.  An economy driven by technology and innovation makes old borders obsolete.  We live and work in a time of unparalleled opportunity and unprecedented uncertainty. (from the Fast Company)

We are not prepared for the domino effect of exploding change.  As change accelerates, fear, uncertainty and doubt increase… stress/burnout increase…morale/productivity decrease…errors are made and clients complain.  Day-to-day work consumes us.  We are busy, busy, busy; too busy to look ahead; too busy to plan for succession; too busy to mentor, too busy to care for ourselves.  I'm hearing the workplace chant "is this all there is?"  The meaning and passion in our lives is being sucked away.

Yes, the business of managing change has got to change.  First, we can understand how change happens.  Second, we can expand our strategies for dealing with change.

HOW CHANGE HAPPENS

Think about a change in your own life…a new job…baby…new home…major loss.  Sociologists tell us life is a cycle of transitions.  They are occurring faster and faster.  Understanding how change happens helps us confront our fear, uncertainty and doubt in change.   Know change happens in stages.  Further, the stages are normal.  When we are faced with major change, expect our first reaction to be denial.  We will rationalize, look back at the good old days and refuse to hear new information.  We will resist, feel angry and frustrated.  We will blame others, complain, and begin to doubt our ability.  As we begin to adjust to the change, we begin to explore.  We may have trouble with focus and decision-making.  But, slowly we look for answers and see new possibilities.  Finally, we become committed to the change.  We cooperate, feel balance, participate in teamwork and feel focused again.

Change is external and situational.  Change is desired outcome.  Conversely, transitions are internal and psychological. (William Bridges) The Process of change involves the three transitions:   Letting Go is the beginning of change.  Before change can occur, we have to let go of what was.  Once we let go, we enter a second transition called the Neutral Zone.  This is the "gray area" uncomfortable to most of us.  Bridges suggests we enter New Beginnings and the transitions are complete.  Letting go faster is a way to expedite change.  Having the right mindset helps.  The people most successful at change are the people who find the opportunity in change.

EXPAND YOUR STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH CHANGE

Here are five strategies to help you deal with change:

1. Find your rock…your safe place.

2. Clarify what you want your life to be.

3. Stay in touch with your needs.

4. Seek out accurate information.  Ask questions.  Attend information sessions.  Read memos.  Read outside your field.

5.  Define the givens, controllables, and negotiables in the situation.

We are each 100% responsible for ourselves, for our lives and for how we choose to live. Understanding how change happens and expanding our strategies for dealing with change are ways to position for the future.  The position you and your organization take to address exploding change will determine your success in future.  I'll miss my friend.  Life is short.

Printed with permission.  LaVonn Steiner, president of EXCEL Corporation, gives keynotes, leads retreats and facilitates change and strategic planning sessions throughout the U.S.   She can be reached at 800-255-8404 or e-mail  lsteiner@btigate.com