Howard Phillips Lovecraft, an American writer of mystery and horror fiction, has rightly stated, “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.”
Lovecraft penned these words in the 1920s, and to date, they are still appropriate, especially in the workplace.
Change is the only constant in life. It is the one thing that is inevitable in life. Also, it is necessary, especially for organizations, to survive and thrive. Yet, when things change, people are often petrified and feel uncomfortable. Keeping this in mind, you must make a conscious attempt to overcome the fear of change in the workplace by remaining engaged in the present.
Here are some tips to overcome the fear of change in the work environment.
Acknowledge the Change
The most crucial thing to do is to acknowledge the change in the workplace. Identifying and accepting change is the first step toward managing it in the work environment.
Face the Fears
Penning down the fears in an objective manner can stop the employee from dwelling on it. Go through the fear and pen down what, preferably, you would do if that fear or concern came to pass. Having a plan can help to defuse emotional distress.
Confront the Feelings and Seek Help
The person needs to confront the fear and the change they are going through, especially when it is beyond their control. In this situation, the best thing to do is to reach out to the loved ones, close colleagues, or partner and talk to them about the feelings.
Be Flexible and Embrace the Change
Rather than hiding from the fear and building a barrier, it is advisable to be flexible towards the new challenges and tasks. An open and flexible attitude towards learning, even if the person does not like it, make others want to work with that person.
Be a Part of the Change
It is always advisable to adopt an attitude of apprehension and enthusiasm. Embrace the changes as opportunities. Get involved with the work teams. It is better to be an influencer and chauffeur of change. In this way, the employee will feel empowered and confident. So, embrace the positive in the way forward.
Communication
Communication is always essential, especially when a person faces change. Communicate with the organization about the changes. Talk to the manager and the co-employees to get their opinion. Ask constructive questions to obtain meaningful information that can help to understand it in a better way.
Final Words
Change is an inevitable part of life, and at present, all the organizations need to change to survive and flourish. So, it is crucial for the employees to overcome the fear of change. Change can be terrifying and disruptive. But, with the right attitude, actions, and outlook, the employees can find opportunities in that change.
Attend the Compliance Prime webinar to learn more about how to overcome the fear of change in the work environment.
