Let me tell you about something that wasn’t on my list! In the past 48 hours I have flown across the country tell 60 associates that we intend to close their facility and lay them off, have been told that I have a new boss, that I will soon be in a different position, and that we are merging with another business. I have never experienced so much change in such a short period of time. I have got through the past few days because of a tremendous amount of support from my mentor, my “work uncles”, my team, one brilliant conversation with my Mum and wine (LOTS of wine). Below is what I have learned from the craziest 48 hours of my professional career:
Lay-offs
· When you are laying someone off do not dwell on the past, why the decision was made or who made it. Help the person focus on the future. Help them move forward. Focus the conversation around what the next opportunity is for them.
Managing Up
· Have an upfront conversation with your new boss about what you need to be successful and what is important to you.
· Explicitly ask how you can help your boss be successful and achieve his goals.
Leading a Team
· As a leader it is your job to remain POSITIVE. During a period of change your team will be watching very closely to see how you react as it will set the tone for how they react.
Change
· The emotional journey of change goes something like this: anticipation, denial, shock, fear, anger, resistance, betrayal, guilt, depression, acceptance, exploration, search for solutions, develop plans, commitment, execute plans, emerge stronger.
· You can’t control change but you can control how you react to it. You determine the outcome.
· Change is an opportunity to learn, grow and develop new relationships.
· Stay assertive, stay involved, and don’t retrench.
· Quit taking it personally, it is not all about you.
