Change within your company can be a stressful time, and you’ll probably find support in speaking with co-workers. While it’s good to talk to others about how you’re feeling about these transitions, there are ways to drive these conversations so that they are more impactful. This will enable you to have more productive discussions that can help you successfully tackle your changing worklife, which can ultimately lead to greater job satisfaction.
Here are three strategies you can follow when talking to your co-workers about change:
1. Listen to and be empathetic to others
If major changes to your office have just been announced, chances are you and many others you know have been affected. What’s important to realize, is that your colleagues may have been impacted differently than you. Spend some time listening to each another and opening up about what you’ve been told, how you’re feeling, and what your approach will be going forward. Act empathetically and show an understanding of and respect for your co-workers’ situation.
Neither party should jump to any conclusions or assume anything about anyone. The last thing you want to do during a difficult period of organizational change is to cause your co-workers to feel alone or ostracized.
2. Be actionable and get answers to your question
Even after communicating with your colleagues, you may still feel like you have unanswered questions. Don’t shy away from getting more details about the upcoming change. While your company should be as transparent as possible, they may have missed some key points or been unable to share how you or your team will be specifically affected on a day-to-day basis.
Figure out a way to approach management and leadership in a positive, respectful manner. By being organized and specific, you’re likely to get more response to your concerns and more answers to your questions — which may go a long way to assuaging feelings of anxiety or nervousness in the coming weeks.
3. Embrace change and seek opportunity
After you’ve learned to lean on your co-workers for support and have reached out to leadership for actionable answers, it’s now time to embrace the upcoming change and see what is actually in store for you.
Although organizational change can have a negative connotation, it doesn’t necessarily need to be a bad thing. Look for opportunities over the next few months to make yourself invaluable to your organization. By focusing on your friendships with co-workers and keeping an open mind, you’ll be primed for success and advancement instead of unmotivated and uninspired.