Prepare to go swimming in the sea of change

In 1789, Ben Franklin uttered what would someday become a widely known proverb: “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.” In the 21st century, we might add another certainty to his list – change.

We are experiencing change on many levels: culturally, economically and environmentally. No one knows for sure what is in store for our economy in 2009. As the country implements the mandate of the voters with a new president and Congress, our financial situation remains uncertain and that will create many unknowns for businesses in all industries.

The one watchword that can be counted upon is change.

One critical success factor – the single source of power that will serve as the barometer for every organization during this perfect storm of change – is people. People are the energy and fuel of organizational success. The staff of every organization must remain productive and positive if goals are to be met.

This powerful reality requires practical support and a deep level of understanding as we navigate the terrain of 2009.

If employees spend too much time worrying about their own situation, conjuring up scenarios of what might happen to the organization and do not seek new opportunities, the work product will suffer, goals will not be met and new opportunities may be missed altogether.

The people must maintain a positive attitude and project that positivity into their work. It may take more attention and effort to assure that attitudes remain positive and productive through this period of change and uncertainty.

Simple, but innovative

There are some simple practices that every organization should revisit and adjust in order to take care of the people and make them as comfortable as possible in an uncertain world. These may seem obvious, but might actually be innovative given the demands of 2009. Such obvious practices could mean the difference between remaining viable and sustainable or losing ground in a less-than-thriving economic environment.

The five suggestions listed here come from my experience with nonprofits, the public sector and private sector projects I worked on in 2008. These suggestions create solid ground as tremors continue in our economic earthquake.

Increase communication organization-wide. Go back to such old standards as “management by walking around.” Be in touch with everyone and listen to their concerns, celebrate their triumphs and allay their fears. Increased communication can ward off gossip, speculation and rumors that can be damaging to everyone’s attitude. Be personal and personable with everyone. Inspire with positive thinking.

Try “walking in their shoes” as you listen. They are looking to leaders for reassurance that this business is worth fighting for and that survival is possible. Think about “what’s in it for me?” Why should they have a positive attitude? Why should they aspire to achieve goals that may appear to be difficult or new with unknown results? Remember that these people are your energy source.

Tell the truth about the current situation. It is very important that everyone seek solutions and go beyond just solving problems. The solutions that are discovered and put forward in a down economy could illuminate new avenues of success in the future. New solutions won’t be found or considered if you do not tell the truth about what is and is not working and how the organization is progressing today.

Take a systems view of your organization. This means that you consider the entire system, inside and out. Who are the organizations, communities, teams and individuals who make up your system? Every system has inputs, outputs, throughputs and environments within which it functions. What are the opportunities that can be uncovered if you begin to look beyond the obvious and seek a systems view?

Adjust goals and seek creative, realistic ways to achieve those goals. This is related to telling the truth about the current state. If the current state has changed in significant ways, the goals must adjust accordingly. This will require thought, analysis and courage. Leadership is about courage and it will pay off. The people see the truth of the situation, and if leaders fail to show that they will act upon the truth, the people will become discouraged and lose their ability to believe in and follow their managers and leaders.

Trust the process

Basically, there are three premises that must be taken into account in this time of great change and economic unrest. First, learn to excel at seeing systems and recognize the system independent of organizational boundaries. Second, if you are not already collaborating across these boundaries, begin that practice and get good at it. Finally, move from problem-solving to creating brand-new, innovative solutions. Today’s solutions will define tomorrow’s future.

All organizations will be changed in this process. We cannot remain static in a time of great upheaval. It is important to make this a time of growth to match the intensity of the crisis. Grow and learn from these practices and make them the norm of the future. If you consider the needs of the individual, the team and the system in this time of change, the outcome will produce results you cannot know or see right now.

Trust the process of change and make it work for you.

Shirley Esterly is a master facilitator who assists her clients to explore opportunities for innovation, strengthen collaboration and build sustainable practices. Her company, QuantumWest, is based in Greeley and she can be reached at [email protected].