“Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.”

Confucius

The word change is one that resonates with all of us, and it’s something that each person handles differently. Those who learn to embrace change live happier lives than those who fight it. Change is inevitable in both our personal and professional life.

For me, I have to remind myself to stay flexible and embrace change; it’s in my nature to resist. I also have to remind myself that although God is a God of change, He himself never changes. The Word says He remains the same “yesterday, today and forever” (Heb 13:8). I believe God brings about change, some based on our disobedience and some simply because it’s the plan He has for us.

To be an effective, influential leader, you have to embrace change (given it’s not immoral or unethical). When leaders accept change in the workplace, then that same attitude of acceptance trickles down amongst other workers. There are times when I don’t necessarily agree with the changes being made and I make my thoughts and ideas known. Ultimately, I have to accept the decisions leadership chooses and I hope that I can lead others to do the same. One of the ways to essentially “keep yourself in check” is to ask the following questions.

• Am I currently open to change? 
• Am I willing to risk?
• Am I flexible enough to be or do different?

Below are 3 basic principles to help you embrace change:

1. Maintain a positive attitude. Always be optimistic and maintain the right attitude, regardless of the company, department or group. Come to terms that your new situation might not be perfect, but then again, your previous situation probably wasn’t either. Think about how best to leverage your skills, experiences, and network to maximize the change. If you have a negative attitude, those you lead will notice, and they tend to resist change as well.
2. Recognize that change is constant. Change is inevitable, whether you like it or not. One good aspect of change is that it prevents boredom and it increases creativity.
3. Look for ways to help others embrace the change. One opportunity to deal with change is to lead others through the transition. By doing so, you will realize where others struggle. Through helping others, you will gain respect and influence as one who is open to change.

The world is ever changing; our jobs change, our relationships change, and so forth. Ultimately, when change is accepted, work becomes a more relaxed environment for all.

You can contact Denis at dbaker@leaderinfluence.net for information on coaching, leadership, team and culture training, DISC Behavioral consulting, or to be an inspirational speaker at your next event.