What You Need to Know to Deal with Change

Let's face it: change isn't easy. Whether it’s positive or negative, chosen or imposed, it almost always causes stress, uncertainty, and general unease.

Leaders need to be aware of the challenges change presents to their employees, whether dealing with lay-offs, mergers, retirement, or other changes in structure or approach. 

We can all be aware of the challenges change presents in our own lives and the lives of people that we work with, or who are in our family.

The first step in learning to deal with change is understanding how it works and what it looks like. Here are a few things to consider:

Changes have a beginning, middle an end, but begin with an ending!


To begin the change process, you need to let go of old ways and old ideas. Say goodbye to the past with confidence. This is important as you become more empowered, start living your life for you, and move up in your organization or develop a new image or identity.


The middle can be very chaotic, ambiguous and scary. Uncertainty is high. It may take a leap of faith to get through it. There may be a temptation to go back to what was comfortable even though you were feeling stuck.


Looking back at how you have successfully dealt with change in the past can help you go through change in the present. It can also help you lead other people through change.


How quickly and easily people go through the change process can depend on whether the change is imposed by outside forces (budget, management,) or as a result of a personal, conscious choice. It can impact whether the outcome will be positive on negative.

-Simma Lieberman, "The Inclusionist"
Career Coach
www.simmalieberman.com