Insights

Mindset Management in Times of Change

18 March 2014

Organisational change and transition is an everyday reality - whether it's a change in role, a redundancy, a relocation of the team - it's all around us.  

This transition from the old to the new is a very personal journey; one that is significantly influenced by whether we perceive the change as a threat or an opportunity.

This concept of 'mindset' has the potential to smooth and accelerate our transition, or significantly derail us.   But is mindset fixed?  Our experience in working with people during change and career transition has taught us that our mindset is not something that is static and that it can certainly be developed. Interestingly, latest thinking from Carol Dweck at Stanford University also points to the notion that a 'growth mindset' can be taught.

The first key step from our perspective is making a conscious choice.  Will we accept that this change is part of our new reality? Will we accept that this change is necessary for us in the new world? Will we choose my mindset and attitude so that we can shape our own future?  Making such a decision is an interesting milestone in any developmental journey.

Once this choice has been made then it seems that the energy and action for change comes quickly.  Suddenly we see people re-defining their career goals, investigating options they'd never considered before, becoming advocates for the change with their team mates, volunteering to be on the change working group and so on.

Whether the change we are embarking on is a career change, a role change or a behaviour change related to our lifestyle and wellbeing, the journey is one that is highly personal, influenced by our mindset and one that always involves making conscious decisions.

Here's how you can support yourself and others through change:

• Normalise the experience - Feelings of discomfort, resistance, sadness and self-doubt are all very natural and normal experiences.
• Understand your response - Our response to the change is influenced by how the change impacts our needs, wants and expectations.
• Reframe experiences - Reframing current and past experiences as realistic, helpful and positive are one way to generate feelings of will, self-belief and confidence.
• Acceptance - Once we accept the change we can then process the emotions and transition well.
• Stay connected - Keeping connected to your networks is the best way to support yourself through the change.
• Keep informed - Be mindful of your assumptions and seek out the information you need.