Posts Tagged ‘dealing with change’

As a leader or manager you can be sure that there will be difficult situations to deal with from time to time.  These difficult situations might include:

• Dealing with poor individual or team performance

• Trying to improve an organisation that is perceived to be failing

• A process that it is not working

• Staff or other resource shortages

• Adverse media coverage

So as a manager or leader what are the key tips for dealing with difficult situations?

Tip 1: Establish facts first

When difficult situations arise, it is all too easy to jump to solution mode too quickly.  While there may be a limited amount of times when fast action is absolutely necessary, your first step to successful resolution it to establish facts.  Remember that facts as opposed to hearsay or opinion are verifiable.

Tip 2: Ask lots of questions

Questions, especially the short powerful variety are a great way of getting to the core issue rather than all the detail that someone is trying to provide to you.  Think of it a bit like peeling an onion, each layer is getting you closer to the core.

Tip 3: Actively listen

There is little point in asking great questions if you are not actively listening to what is being said.  Resist the temptation to jump in before you have properly listened to the different points of view.

Tip 4: Avoid pre-judgement

We all, if we are honest will form some judgements immediately.  While these might be right at the end of the day, don’t let pre-judgement get in the way of establishing the real issues.

Tip 5: Act professionally

The challenge for you is to remain professional at all times.  A good test of this is to ask yourself how you would like to be treated if you were not the manager or leader but an aggrieved party.

Tip 6: Aim for win-win

While this is not always possible, you should aim to find solutions that don’t result in a feeling from one party that they have lost while another has won.  This might require some careful negotiation around what would constitute a good outcome for all those involved.

Tip 7: Remember there is no one size fits all approach

Each situation is different.  While there might be some common ground, remember there is unlikely to a one size fits all approach to difficult situations.   Adapt your approach depending on the situation.

Bottom Line – Handling difficult situations is just part and parcel of managing and leading.  So where do you need to focus your attention in terms of developing your competence?

e all know that change is happening all of the time.  Yet when it is a change that is related to our career or business, it takes on a whole new perspective.  We might see it as an opportunity, we might see it as a threat and we might even see it as a combination of opportunity and threat.

When faced with a change, it is all too easy to become paralysed by it.  If we are not careful it can lead to illness and stress.  Given this, how can we embrace change?

1. Accept it

This is the first vital step in embracing change.  We all have had times in our life when it was difficult to accept change at the time even though we know it will work out fine in the long run.  I still remember being called into the office of our newly appointed CEO and being advised that I was not part of the plans going forward.  Was I slightly disappointed at the time, yes I was, but at the same time knew resisting it was not going to help the situation.

2. Recognise your successes

I have always found that sitting and writing down all of your achievements is a powerful thing to do when you are facing a change.  For me it does two things.  It allows you to celebrate what you have done and at the same time opens the mind to things you still want to achieve.

3. Look forward

It is the easiest thing in the world to keep looking back and questioning yourself.  While it is useful to reflect on what you have learned, you don’t want to get stuck in the treacle.  Ask yourself what’s next and start moving towards it.

4. See it as a new beginning

We have all probably heard the phrase as one door closes another opens.  In terms of change, I believe that this is a really powerful metaphor.  Change is the next step in the journey, so embrace it and grab the new opportunity.