3 Ways to Be Respectful of People During a Change
By NETWORK. LEAD. EXCHANGE.
Change is quite difficult on many people. Network Lead Exchange explains the best ways to show respect to people during these times while ensuring change happens with as little hiccups as possible.
Change is one of life’s most difficult parts. Whether it is change in the personal lives or the workplace going through upheaval, human beings rarely embrace change. Some actively fight against it. Therefore, it’s important to understand the resistance to change and respect it. Change will happen, but it can be compassionate. Empathy is one of business’s critical elements; just as empathy has its use with customers, it’s important to show empathy to people in business seeing their work change.
Listen to Concerns
The key to being a great listener is letting someone speak and vent. Instead of trying to assuage their concerns, most people just wish to be heard. Spend time listening with no judgement. People eventually tire when they’re not interrupted. Once the steam gets expended, empathize with the person and ask open ended questions. Often, they’ll express an openness to change once their concerns are heard. The minutes spent hearing someone upset are investments into the person. Make those investments.
Make Everyone a Stakeholder
Change driven from the top-down encounters resistance from the bottom. It is important people feel like they’re part of the change. The reason is simple: involving those affected by the change to be part of the change communicates a respect for what they do and how they do it. Invite people to help, ask them to contribute in ways they feel best serves the cause. Showing respect to others is about ensuring they feel valued. People feel valued when tasked with hard things. Bring them on board and change moves easier.
Respect the Old Ways When Introducing New Procedures
Human beings are irrational. It’s possible to show people procedures improving efficiency and resulting in less work for the same pay. Yet most people balk at new procedures. The balking increases if the old ways are disrespected. Talk positively about the old ways and introduce the new ways as a natural evolution on what’s been done. Older workers greatly appreciate this framing. When professionals work in a certain way for a long time, they grow sentimental. Reward the sentiment by respecting it. Every business wants workers who care.
Networking is another area where respectful change is part of life. Find people embracing innovation and change @ NETWORKLEADEXCHANGE.COM.
