Building Hope in a Time of Change
Change happens. It's a part of life, especially if you work in a Silicon Valley based tech company. I recently participated in an all-hands meeting for a company undergoing massive changes real-time.It's a testament to the leadership team that shares have soared amidst all this change. And it's a further testament to the leadership team that the all-hands panel discussion was planned to help address questions and fears of staff around the world. Featured on the panel were a wide range of leaders from different locations and roles. All these leaders were new to me, and as with any new leader, my first question is 'who are you' The response to that first question was resoundingly clear: they are each authentic, experienced and passionate leaders invested in the success of their people and their company. They have led and persevered during and beyond their time at with their company, and generously shared their wisdom and advice - see notes below.
Be the type of resilient leader anyone would want on their team.
Change is inevitable. Choose to bend but not break. See change as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Focus on the positive opportunities implicit with each change. It rarely goes as planned, but with the right mindset, it can go better than you could have imagined.
Whether you choose to focus on social, physical, spiritual or community activities outside work, find ways to stay centered during times of change.
Have a broader perspective so that you can navigate inevitable changes, whether that involves connecting with others outside work, focusing on others' realities which make work challenges seem small, or comparing your own challenges with those less fortunate.
Identify the facts and accept and focus on what you can change, and what needs to happen so that the change is effective.
Manage your perspectives and emotions throughout a change. It's a waste of energy to assume negative intent in times of change. Find out the facts, and assume positive or neutral intent so that you can proactively manage the change.
Accept that wherever you are is where you are meant to be. Be fully present in each moment.
Learn from your own mistakes and transfer those learnings on to others.
Build relationships wherever you go. Don't bucket someone as all-negative. Be open that she/he might change, or might be different in another context. And even if he/she is no better than you thought, she/he might wind up being your boss, so you have to make the best of it. Never burn a bridge.
Support others as they navigate through change.
Model the way as a leader, no matter where you sit at the table, even if there's no table. Have confidence, faith and trust in the change at hand, and work hard to deliver to that shared commitment.
Regardless of who you're talking to, and what level they are at within the organization, communicate proactively, transparently and candidly. Don't sugar-coat it. Don't be vague. But do be as positive as you can be.
Proactively manage your emotions and coach others on how to do the same. Nobody wants complainers and naysayers. It's OK to be a safe haven for those who need to talk it out, but not OK if that turns into a grouse session.
Stick to the facts. It's easy to make up stories or assume negative intent if you don't stick to the facts. Help others do the same, sifting out what actually happened from what the perception/interpretation is of what happened.
Privately call others out for their snarky remarks, their negative body language, their passive-aggressive actions, their deflating energy, etc. Be that mirror for them and show them how their behavior is affecting themselves, those around them, and the bottom line results.
Communicate the positive results created since the last change, and say that the current change offers a new opportunity to deliver beyond what anyone may be expecting.
Be that glass-half-full optimist. Even if things go the-way-not-preferred, consider what the best case scenario would be.
Encourage and support those around you to understand and manage their stress during change, and to craft and own their plan for navigating through the change.
Appreciate the perspectives and backgrounds of others so that you can help them navigate through the change.
Assume that change will happen and develop pre-planned change-mitigation strategies. This will help you get through those layers of shock, denial, arguing, etc., which might naturally come with unexpected changes.
Paint a detailed picture of the worst-case scenario and talk through it, to help understand that it may not be as bad as you might think, especially if you're plan-fully aware of it.
Some people don't have the experience and background to know how to persevere through adversity. Consider it an opportunity to help them navigate a change, and help them see the up-side of that adversity/change.
Never say that your reality is worse than theirs.
In conclusion, I'll quote Shakespeare 'to thine own self be true'. Regardless of what change comes forth, know who you are, where you are going, and what can be learned with every change.
I follow the first question with a second one: 'where are we going from here and why'. The response I personally have to these leaders is 'anywhere you'd like to go, I trust you to lead the way.' May there be more leaders like these out there and may their company and all they touch continue to thrive.