Tips for Embracing Change for Career Growth

Early in my career, I faced a moment many of us dread: A sudden, unexpected company reorganization. It seemed like overnight ➟ my role ➟ my team ➟ my daily tasks were all up in the air. I remember the anxiety. The flurry of rumors. The uncertainty. They clouded my thoughts about the future. But it was in this chaos that I found clarity. I realized that change, though daunting, also brings opportunities for growth. I wrote an article on this for Harvard Business Review. Here are 5 actions you can take when your professional life is unpredictable: 1. Embrace the Uncertainty Use periods of change as a catalyst for introspection. Reflect on what truly matters to you and your future. 2. Define Your Identity Think about who you need to be... Not just what you need to do. 3. Focus on the Process Establish and commit to positive career behaviors. It gives you a sense of control and leads to results. Examples: • Contribute in each team meeting • Expand your network every week  • Offer a strategic idea to leadership monthly • Take on a stretch opportunity once a quarter • Thank a coworker for something helpful every day 4. Cultivate Learning Agility Be ready to adapt. Stay curious. Embrace new ideas. This mindset isn't just to survive; it helps you thrive. 5. Ask for and Act on Feedback Regularly seek feedback. Take time to reflect on it. It's crucial to know where you're growing. And where you need to improve. Change can be scary. But it's also a chance to reset. To pivot. You may discover new paths you hadn't noticed before. Remember... It's not the strongest or most intelligent who survive. It's those who can best manage change. Lean into the uncertainty. Use it as a stepping stone. Build a career that's not just successful, but also aligned with who you truly are. Find this valuable? Repost ♻️ to share with others.  Thank you! P.S. What keeps you going when things get uncertain?

Change is a choice. But so is stagnation. Growing up, I was taught to aim for perfection. To never falter or deviate from the path laid out for me. This quest for perfection became my prison, stifling my growth and leaving me fearful of every possible change. Then, life threw me into the deep end. I was tasked with starting a new business unit from scratch, despite knowing nothing about it. This experience taught me the power of embracing change. It transformed me from a doctor into an entrepreneur. I learned to see change not as a threat, but as the very essence of growth. Here's how to harness change in 5 steps: 1️⃣ Acknowledge the Fear - Recognize what holds you back. Is it fear of failure, or something else? 2️⃣ Educate Yourself - Change feels less daunting when you understand what you're dealing with. 3️⃣ Start Small - Big changes are a series of small steps. Take the first one. 4️⃣ Seek Support - You're not alone. Lean on mentors, networks, and communities. 5️⃣ Reflect and Adapt - Change is not a one-time act. It's an ongoing process of adaptation. Change has been my ally, not my adversary. It's reshaped my career, my identity, and my life's work. Embracing change turned my once-perceived failures into stepping stones for success. ✍️Your turn: What change are you holding back from? ♻️ Know someone struggling with embracing change? Share this post with them.

In my experience in the dynamic business world, I have come to recognize that change is the only constant. While it may seem daunting and challenging, I firmly believe that embracing change is not only essential for success but also crucial for personal and professional growth. Resisting change not only causes unnecessary stress but also hinders our ability to explore new pathways for growth and success. Although managing uncertainty can be difficult, it is important to acknowledge that uncertainty is an inherent part of the business landscape. Instead of expending energy on resistance, we should focus on adapting and thriving in the face of change. Throughout my journey, I have discovered several strategies that have helped me navigate the winds of change and emerge stronger: Foster a Growth Mindset: By embracing a growth mindset, I have learned to view change as an opportunity for personal and professional development. Rather than fearing challenges, I now perceive them as stepping stones to success. This shift in perspective has enabled me to approach change with optimism and an eagerness to learn. Stay Agile and Flexible: In today's rapidly evolving environment, agility and flexibility are paramount. I have cultivated a mindset that embraces new ideas and approaches, allowing me to adapt my strategies swiftly and effectively when necessary. Embrace Innovation: I have made it a priority to foster a culture of innovation within my organization. By embracing emerging technologies, trends, and ideas, I have been able to propel my business forward and maintain a competitive edge. Continuous Learning: I firmly believe in the power of continuous learning. Staying abreast of industry trends, attending conferences, and actively seeking new knowledge and skills have been instrumental in my ability to remain relevant and adaptable. Communicate Effectively: Clear and transparent communication is paramount during times of change. By fostering open lines of communication, we can ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards a common goal. This facilitates a smooth transition and minimizes resistance. Change should not be perceived as a threat but rather as an opportunity for growth and innovation. By embracing change and implementing these strategies, we can adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape. . . . #changemanagement #embracingchange #innovation #businessgrowth #professionaldevelopment #adaptability #agility #continuouslearning #effectivecommunication

Day 8 – 5 Steps toward Embracing and Overcoming Your Fears Today we are going to address an often-overlooked aspect of job searching and career transition: facing personal fears. The problem is that when we avoid acknowledging our fears or taking time to address them, they will show up in an interview, the day an application must be turned in, or the first day at the new job. Fear is inevitable during a period of change. That is why, the sooner you are able to recognize and turn your fears into fuel, the sooner you will be able to start achieving your goals. Step 1: Acknowledge Your Fears - It's completely natural to feel fear during times of change. Whether it's the fear of rejection, the unknown, or even the fear of success, these feelings are valid and more common than you might think. Remember, acknowledging your fears is not a sign of weakness, but a brave first step towards conquering them. Take Action! Sometime today, set a timer for 5-10 minutes and write down every doubt or fear that you have in your head about your career transition. Step 2: Reframe Your Perspective - Instead of viewing your fears as roadblocks, try to see them as opportunities for growth. Each application, interview, or networking event is a chance to learn something new, regardless of the outcome. Every successful person has faced rejection, disappointment or failure at some point in their journey. How can you use those fears to fuel your actions and build your momentum each day? (Come back tomorrow to learn how to manage your mindset with self-coaching.) Step 3: Set Realistic Goals - Breaking down your career transition into smaller, achievable goals will make the process less daunting. Your accomplishments, no matter how small, will start to build your confidence and momentum. One tool that is extremely effective at helping with this step is a Career Development Plan. (More on that later this week.) Step 4: Embrace the Discomfort Zone - The greatest personal and professional growth usually happens outside our comfort zones. Embracing challenges and new experiences is integral to your career journey. If you don't step out of your comfort zone, it’s unlikely that you will ever experience the immeasurable success you could be designing for yourself. Step 5: Connect with Others - You are not alone in this journey. Reach out to your network, mentors, or a coach. Sometimes, just talking about your fears can diminish their power. Plus, you might be surprised at how many people have faced similar challenges and can offer valuable advice and support. Unless you are in mortal danger, fear is caused by the thoughts you assign to your current circumstances based on your previous experiences and doubts. When you learn to change your thoughts and take action, you can change your life. Your past does not have to define your future. Are you ready to design your future? #JobSearch #CareerTransition #OvercomingFears #CareerWiseGrowth #Day8

Embracing change can be difficult. I am a fortunate person that I have a lot of control over a lot of things in my life, and that includes my profession and how I choose to do my work. I used to think I didn't really like process and structure. I wanted to just go to do the work and figure it out as I go. You know, free-wheeling, a crazy approach to make something, just do something, get stuff done. I am not sure if something changed, if the neuroplasticity in my brain has reduced, but not having a process or even changing the process feels more difficult than it used to. And intellectually, I can know that the changes are good or for the best, but that doesn't make it easier. This week, I've been feeling this as we've made some changes to the way we plan and get to our work in my team - and I love the direction; I can see the benefits that will come from the changes - but dang, my brain is screaming at me. So here are a few thoughts I've had about embracing the change that has been helpful. 1) Talk to someone who can help you answer questions - it's okay to admit you don't understand. I realize that this is a privilege that I have in my org, and not everyone feels safe to do so. The thing I would caution about here is this can't be a gripe session or just complaining or venting. I have found that being vulnerable and saying I don't understand has been very healthy for me to embrace the change. 2) Look for the early and easy wins. Dopamine or whatever chemical my brain releases when I hit on something that works or is good, has a powerful effect. I know it can be hard to see the good when you're feeling tight or stressed, but that's why it needs to be a focus. 3) Help others. Look, I might be having my own challenges, but others might be feeling that stress, too. So, how can you help someone else feel better or gain more understanding? For instance, I got some great feedback about one of my co-workers. I was able to pass that on. I think it was helpful and gave them confidence about the changes being made. 4) Give yourself and those implementing the change some grace. It's easy to be frustrated. It's easy to be discouraged. Maybe some people are even mad. But I find myself saying, "it's okay if I don't fully understand it yet. I haven't experienced it, yet. But I will get there, and if it's still not working, I know I have the ability to give feedback." Change happens. It can be stressful. It can be challenging. But it doesn't have to be bad, even if hard. What advice do you have for managing changes in your work and processes?