Being a change enthusiast
When asked at, for example, an interview, “Do you like/adapt to change?” it is easy to say yes even if it isn’t meant. However, it will be conveyed to the questioner more powerfully if it is true and you can give real examples of you enacting it. Can you find genuine instances of change in action?
The research by Everett Rogers around the subject of change adoption has shown how people react to the prospect of change:
– 2.5% (1 person in 40) loves change and throws themselves into it immediately
– 13.5% (1 person in 7) is an early adopter and will accept change quickly
– 34% (1person in 3) are in the early majority and will follow the lead of others
– 34% (1 person in 3) are in the late majority and will get there eventually but are seen as negative influences
– 16% (1 person in 6) are laggards and will never change
The laggard may even be in self-denial and believe they are adaptable. However, at times of change these are the people who will be the most expendable, even if they have valuable skills. The laggard drains the team and the business of energy and acts as a brake.
Therefore, it is time to be a change enthusiast, to accept change and to be seen accepting it.
- Have you made suggestions for improvements?
- Do you volunteer for projects or tasks?
- Are you capable of asking qualifying questions without sounding negative?
- Do your colleagues recognise your natural inclination to adopt change?
- Are you seen as someone involved in office politics and gossiping?
- Do you naturally see the problems?
- Are you able to provide solutions?
- Does the prospect of change make you feel uncertain and worried?
These questions need answers for yourself based on honesty. If you are getting a sense of an underlying desire for the status quo, that which you know, if is important you address the issues.
To help you describe your adaptability you need examples, whether they are small or large scale. What changes have you adopted? When were they? Who else was involved? What was achieved? Who initiated it?
It is a great idea to keep a note of your involvement. Have you ever been in an appraisal review in which you know you have done a lot of good things but when challenged find it difficult to give real examples? Most people have and a key outcome is to learn to write things down. Every organisation wants people whom deliver; be an achiever and be able to show the evidence, especially as a lover of change.
Rob Ball
Connections:
07850 954075
rob.ball@workhorizons.com
rob.ball@naturallyconcerned.com
Websites:
Work Horizons – Organisational renewal through engaged, productive people
Naturally Concerned – Developing better business leaders
www.framingourfuture.com
Books:
Beating the Wisdom of Hindsight: 75 Ways to Pursue Fulfilment and Avoid Regrets eBook : Ball, Rob: Amazon.co.uk
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Sponges-Overcoming-behaviours-absorb/ Online Programs:
Empower Change by Learning to Live Well (indegu.co.uk)
Expanding Your Work Horizons (indegu.co.uk)
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