Change Nugget: The 4 A's of Coping With Change in the Workplace

Change can be extremely personal, leading to periods of mourning and grief for the way things used to be, as well as anxiety and fear for the future. Coping with workplace change is particularly unique, and provides opportunity for leaders and mentors to prepare both themselves and their team to be able to transition as smoothly as possible, while caring for each other and remembering that this is meant to be for the benefit of everyone. That’s where the four A’s come into play.
 

The 4 A’s of Coping With Change in the Workplace:
 

• Awareness
  • Uncertainty about the future causes the most fear during change, so it’s important to make sure you know as much as possible about the new service model. 
• Acceptance
  • Accepting change allows for you and those you work with to feel less anxious and frustrated. It also builds morale and resilience as you navigate through the changes.
• Attitude
  • While change is stressful, it’s also an opportunity. If you keep your attitude positive about changes you're experiencing, and remember that all feelings are valid and natural while experiencing the inconveniences and frustrations that can come with change, the outcome will be better for everyone.
• Action
  • The actions taken in response to change, whether it’s learning a new skill, building a network at work to provide support during transition, or keeping the lines of communication open, all have the potential to improve the change experience.

We see change everywhere in our lives, but it doesn’t necessarily make it easy to manage. With an open mind, strong support, and action, navigating change can result in positive outcomes for everyone. 

If you need any additional support, reach out to your unit transition team leaders or the PEAK team at [email protected]. 

We're here to support you in any way we can.