Leading Your Staff Through Changing Times

For more details on the presenter and access to a free quarterly newsletter, see Monika’s website at: www.monikajensen.com

Monika began her presentation acknowledging that 15 to 20 years ago, major systemic changes tended to only occur every four to five years. Presently we are experiencing a rate of change never before experienced. It is not unusual to see major shifts in systems and ways of thinking every 6 months!

One of the key messages we learned in this workshop, was that we need to see and experience the benefits of working with a diverse group of people, each of whom will experience change in their own unique way, and bring a unique gift to the change process. We cannot control how others respond to the changes they experience in their lives; but, we each can control how we respond to their words and actions. We can choose as positive a path as possible, as we adapt to the changes life brings our way.

A ‘Participant’s Guide’ was distributed at the workshop to provide several helpful tools and exercises to self identify one’s personal tendencies/responses when faced with change.

·         Transition Cycle

·         Creating your Transition Style Profile

·         Organization Change Framework.

·         Spheres of influence – defining what you can and cannot control/influence when facing change.

·         Accepting and letting go

·         A checklist for Managing Change

These tools can be very helpful in creating insight among a group of people within an agency, who must work together in the face of change. As with any tool it is important to use them properly in order to get the desired outcome. They are intended to enhance both self awareness and an understanding of others’ perceptions, in order to make the most of bringing together a group of people to accomplish a particular task.  

Some key comments/phrases (from either the presenter or participants) that stood out from the day:

·         You are completely responsible for your communication.

·         Everyone is motivated by positive intent and doing the best they can.

·         It is vital to respect each person’s model of the world.

·         ‘Mis-matchers’, while they may appear critical, help us to see the challenges, risks, and pitfalls so that we can be better prepared as we plan for the future.

·         Guide people in how to treat you, by demonstrating respect and appreciation for yourself.

·         In the face of uncertainty, all is possible.

·         Instead of seeing yourself as ‘nowhere’….consider yourself to be ‘now here’…and take control of which direction you choose next.

·         We each view the world through a “context window” meaning our perception of things is influenced by our: attitudes, opinions, truths, and beliefs.

·         Throughout our lives our attitudes, opinions, and beliefs often change as we encounter people or circumstances that challenge these…our ‘truths’ (baseline values) are less likely to alter.

·         It is said that communication is: 7% words, 38% tone, and 55% body language.

·         In the case of using email, communication is: 25% words and 70-75% tone (use of exclamation marks, making words bold, colouring words, etc.). Be cautious with emails, as no matter how well you know the person you send them to, there is a lot of room for error in interpretation.

·         It is said that people generally only retain between 5-9 pieces of information at a time. In the case of speaking to people about something you want them to retain…‘less’ is indeed ‘more’.