The storming of the Bastille on this day, 14th July 1789, the culmination of deep social unrest in France that
year,marks the beginning of the French Revolution, which was to last 10 years. Terrifying, violent and extreme as it was, it brought the First Republic and well needed change to the people of France.
One feeble link and one huge step to talking about change, some might think. Of course, I am not advocating a bloody revolution, but simply highlight the fact that change is good and necessary, in our lives as well as in business. The main issue is our attitude towards change; many people may like the idea of change, but are at the same time scared of it, and prefer the status quo. And that’s because it takes us out of our comfort zone, it makes us step out of what we normally do and try different ways of doing things.
Change will happen whether we like it, fear it or not.
It is essential for businesses to adapt to change. Our world is constantly evolving and businesses that don’t change will stay behind, and even disappear. Businesses have faced enormous challenges the past few years and many have responded with adapting and innovating; and this was achieved through change.
Change has many positive benefits in the work place:
- It brings innovation
- It brings a platform for creativity and positive thinking
- It helps finding solutions to new challenges
- New business opportunities
- It helps us being more flexible
- It encourages skills development
- It facilitates people’s learning and growth
In order for change to be effective, leaders must ensure that they take their teams with them on the journey. Change will create uncertainty and unnecessary worry if teams are left in the dark. Leaders must share their vision for the future, emphasising how the changes will affect the organisation and the employees, and what the benefits and positives will be as a result. They need to clearly explain what it will mean for the employees, what will change and why the changes are needed, as well as the timetable for the changes. This will also encourage employees’ buy-in.
https://www.torbenrick.eu/blog/change-management/change-management-comic-strips/
Change is also essential for our personal development. Here are a few benefits:
- Change helps us focus on what we want to achieve and what we want to be
- It helps us move on and progress
- It can help us re-evaluate our life
- It leads to opportunities
- It makes us learn and grow
- It makes life exciting
As American author and speaker John C. Maxwell wrote “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” We can’t control external change, so we may as well be prepared and ready for it, embrace it, and take advantage of it to create our own opportunities, whether at work or in our personal lives.
