Organisational changes can happen in many ways - downsizing, relocation, a change in management, a merger or entering a joint venture. Whatever the reason, changes, especially when they are sudden, can catch people off guard. Sreeradha D Basu shows how you can deal with such a situation.
1. Don't Panic
The most common reaction to an unexpected organisational change is to get stressed and start panicking. But that's something you mustn't do, says Prashant John, executive director of cloud-based employee engagement platform Kwench. Often the first wave of reactions is driven by an extremely short-term view of the impact, ranging from 'what happens to my current project' to 'will my boss change' all the way to 'will I be asked to leave'. This, he says, is the time to take a deep breath and wait for information.
2. Get the Big Picture
"Instead of listening to rumours from the office gossipmongers, employees are better off reaching out to their superior and asking for the true picture. What seems like a 'sudden' move, might often turn out to be not the case - it often is just a consequence of bad communication," says Kwench's John.
3. Stay Positive
Adopting a positive outlook can help the employees view change as a challenge rather than an obstacle. "This may keep employees motivated in an otherwise difficult time period,"says Ankit Bansal, founder, Mykindofjob.com, an online commercial marketplace for people looking for flexibility at work.
4. Talk with One you Trust
It always helps to have a talk with someone whose opinions you respect but is not a part of the organization, says Prashant John of Kwench. "Often outside-in views help to put things in perspective and might change your entire outlook towards the impending change," he says.
5. Look for the Silver Lining
Let's face it — things won't always be the same and won't always go the way one expects them to, says John. Companies shut down divisions, merge teams, get acquired, merge with other companies - change is a constant. "Evaluate honestly what the change means for you. It could be an opportunity to grow within the organisation or it could be the push you were waiting for to explore new options. Either way, a change at work is not the end of the world," he says.
