Semaphora
Jean Gamester
  • About Jean
    • Testimonials
  • One to One
  • Groups
  • Organisations
  • Research & Education
  • Articles
  • Contact
  • About Jean
    • Testimonials
  • One to One
  • Groups
  • Organisations
  • Research & Education
  • Articles
  • Contact
  • Home
  • /
  • change
  • /
  • coaching
  • /
  • goals
  • /
  • leadership
  • /
  • tools

How to keep your head in business when change threatens to overwhelm you

As business owners and leaders we need to ensure we continue to make effective, informed decisions even if we feel overwhelmed or threatened by change.

I am currently helping two organisations that are going through change; a local authority dealing with austerity by becoming commercial and Toastmasters International which is dealing with an expansion of speaker clubs and members – with some growing pains.

In both organisations, people are trying to get their heads around what the changes planned mean to them.

So what do I recommend and how can business owners and leaders keep their head in the face of change? My advice is to connect with purpose, values and objectivity. Here’s how:

Purpose

What is key for any change is that it is consistent with the purpose of the organisation. For example, for the local authority, their ultimate purpose is the wellbeing of the people and businesses they serve.

For anyone facing proposals for change, they need to make a judgement about whether the amount proposed is “just right” and whether it will serve the purpose now and in the future. It’s important to constantly evaluate whether that balance is right, not just at the beginning but throughout the process.

Values

People who are normally positive, encouraging and supportive can temporarily transform at times of change to negative, aggressive and angry. To avoid this stay connected with your values. A strong change programme will not just focus on the details of processes and systems. It will also clarify and explore how the values of the organisation and the people relate to the change. Individuals facing change can use their own values to act as their guide on how to react and approach the change.

Objectivity

As soon as someone makes a proposal to make something change it is our natural instinct to evaluate it. We generally do this by considering how it effects our status quo and listening to the loudest voices around us. However, if we truly want to make an objective evaluation we need more information than that.

Change is disruptive, uncertain and we can’t be sure it’s going to deliver the results that are hoped for. We have to be open to the possibility that not
all steps of the journey need to be mapped out yet for it to be a good destination, and that we might not enjoy all the steps. Most importantly consider how much more likely those results are going to be achieved if we ourselves get on board.

We also have to be careful about the strong voices. It’s easy to come up with reasons why something that doesn’t exist yet will never succeed. They could, of course, be right – we can’t eliminate that possibility. So it’s up to us to keep our heads about us, to actively evaluate those criticisms and theories for ourselves, and make our own judgement.

To support all of this, change leaders need to make sure as much information is shared and that concerned voices are listened to and responded to respectfully. That way those who are hearing the message have a chance of being objective about it.

Ultimately, by considering purpose, values and objectivity – it is possible to keep your head in business when change is all about you.

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Administrator. This entry was posted in change, coaching, goals, leadership, tools. Bookmark the permalink.
Keeping Conflict Creative – Morning after Brexit
Who’s in control?  You or the Targets?

    jeangamester

    Surprised to see someone singing over there. #ph Surprised to see someone singing over there. 

#photohaiku
    Who knew that raindrops could form an orderly queu Who knew that raindrops could form an orderly queue? 

#photohaiku
    Who knew you could have this much fun being stuck Who knew you could have this much fun being stuck in traffic

#photohaiku
    Of all of these snowdrops I love the one whose hea Of all of these snowdrops I love the one whose head is just peeking up

#photohaiku
    Wind chills below freezing, yet it’s so relaxing Wind chills below freezing, yet it’s so relaxing to breathe in this scene

#photohaiku
    Somehow this captures the lines of haste as I look Somehow this captures the lines of haste as I looked to this lake for calm

#photohaiku
    A warm welcome to these new winter flowers #photo A warm welcome to these new winter flowers

#photohaiku
    Once we climb through this big band of grey, the s Once we climb through this big band of grey, the sky is beautifully clear. 

#photohaiku
    With one crow in defence those seagulls are sure t With one crow in defence those seagulls are sure to get a goal. 

#photohaiku
    A silent (to me) arboreal opera #photohaiku A silent (to me) arboreal opera

#photohaiku
    Maybe that cloud is masking a UFO? #photohaiku Maybe that cloud is masking a UFO?
#photohaiku
    Curious about this concrete collage. Created? Or f Curious about this concrete collage. Created? Or from cracking?
#photohaiku
    It’s weird that the reflection is clearer than t It’s weird that the reflection is clearer than the reality 

#photohaiku
    Reach up to the light - see how tall I can get #ph Reach up to the light - see how tall I can get
#photohaiku
    Sliding away gently at ending of the day #photoh Sliding away gently at ending of the day 

#photohaiku
    If you loved me you would go and get me a treat # If you loved me you would go and get me a treat

#photohaiku
    Artfully curated by nature, mini mossy collage #ph Artfully curated by nature, mini mossy collage
#photohaiku
    Come on then! Let’s splash about in the stream!! Come on then! Let’s splash about in the stream!! 

#photohaiku
    Admiring the elegant candelabra #photohaiku Admiring the elegant candelabra

#photohaiku
    I see these two trees each day from far away. #ph I see these two trees each day from far away. 
#photohaiku
    Load More… Follow on Instagram

Semaphora and Jean Gamester

All about change - enabling organisations and individuals to change successfully, to develop greater capacity to transform with resilience and purpose.

© Semaphora 2012-2021

Semaphora Consulting Limited is a company registered in England and Wales, Number 8202868.
Its Registered Office is 6a St Andrews Court, Wellington Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3WT.

Powered by