how to embrace change at work
TRANSCRIPT
HOW TO EMBRACE CHANGE AT WORK
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
As Citi’s Chief Innovation Officer and CEO of Citi Ventures, Debby Hopkins has made a career out of championing innovation. She meets regularly with
venture-capital firms, start-up companies and entrepreneurs, and is
constantly inspired by their willingness to break from the norm and try entirely new approaches. Whether it pertains to an entire corporation, a small company
or an individual worker, she understands firsthand both how rewarding and how
daunting change can be.
Meet Debby Hopkins!
Debby recently answered questions from members of Connect: Professional
Women’s Network. Here’s some of her most popular advice on how to effect
change in the workplace.
As a leader, how should I broach the subject of change with my staff? Leading through change is a critical skill set for leaders to acquire. You may have just seen the light of where you need to go. You’re excited and want to get everyone following right away. DON’T. Drop, stop and get them in the boat. You must make the case for change.
What’s the key to getting my team on board with a new direction? Help the team understand why your view of change is necessary, and point to the opportunities the change will create.
“Driving change demands that you never approach it from an arrogant
stance; it requires empathy.”
How do I deal with team members who are resistant to changes we’re trying to implement? Some will say you’re crazy. Bizarrely, many times I’ve found converting these people is doable. They have passion; if you get them, they’ll become major advocates. It’s the ones with their arms folded on the sidelines who can kill any change effort. Seek them out. Some will join. Some may need to follow a new role. But taking this time is a must-do.
I know that I need change, but I feel like I’ve hit a wall. Any advice? When you’re in a rut, go do something different. Go to a museum, walk someplace new, get some air, look for new inspiration. Our friends at P&G have a saying: “If you want to do something different, you have to DO something different!”
“Emphasize the benefits your
team will gain when the changes are successfully implemented.”
I’d like to change my role at work so I could use my skills more. Any ideas? Look for opportunities where task forces are being put together to tackle challenges. It’s an amazing way to demonstrate your broader skills and can provide significant access to a wider group of leaders in the company.
Our company has made some significant changes. Do you have advice for how to get our audience on board? Walk in their shoes. You have to spend time understanding where they’re coming from. Then design your argument to make it relevant from their perspective, not yours.
Change can be frustrating. Any advice for sticking it out? Change and innovation require stamina and resilience. You will get knocked down. But think about why. Keep adjusting your approach to try and make the case for change stronger, more relevant for the audience, and provide ways for them to step in.
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For more great insights on implementing change in the workplace, check out Debby Hopkins’ live chat in Connect.
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