Change with Heart

Change is constant in this fast-paced world. Yet each of us resists in our own individual ways. We struggle to hold on to a position, a relationship, an ideal, a ranking, an object – or simply to a time in our life that has now passed. Without the awareness that the days in a year are limited, we may find ourselves wasting our time and energy pining for the past and fearing the future. Maybe, it’s time to manage change rather than letting it manage us.

Here are some key insights from a few of McGill's change agents that might help you approach change with heart, both at work and personally:

  • Encourage COMMUNICATION throughout a change journey to support everyone who will be affected by the change
  • Messages need to be REPEATED frequently in times of change
  • Stay CONNECTED to others, offering opportunities for sharing, active listening and feedback
  • Find INCENTIVE: remain positive, exploring what is in this change for you and other stakeholders
  • Share the VISION of why this change is important with others. If it's not clear to you, ask questions
  • Show INTEREST and curiosity if you are not the initiator: “What is most important about this initiative? What are the challenges and opportunities for McGill/our Unit/our Team?”
  • Reflect on, and be realistic about, what is within your DAY-TO-DAY CONTROL
  • Build individual and team SKILLS that are needed, for example attend a workshop in Organizational Development, or investing in offerings at McGill's School of Continuing Studies or the McGill Executive Institute
  • BUILD ON SUCCESSES: if you have already successfully made a change, reconnect with what you learned from the past, and trust that you have the resources to do it again
  • Ground the change in concrete ACTIONABLE STEPS, TRACK PROGRESS and CELEBRATE MILESTONES - learn more by attending a Project Management workshop
  • Keep LISTENING AND LEARNING – both within and without
  • Ensure you have the right SUPPORTS and RESOURCES. Connect with a colleague who has succeeded in the journey or learn about tips and tools from a Change Management or Surviving & Thriving through Times of Change workshop
  • As much as possible, ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

 

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