Prepare Yourself for The Change

Take Care of Yourself First

Among employees, leaders often undergo the most stress in the wake of a major change. Many aspects of the change may be personally upsetting to you, and you will likely have to face numerous questions from your employees. Not being prepared only ads to your own anxiety. You need to find clarification on all the issues that your group will want you to clarify for them. If your manager does not offer this, ask for it. Manage your stress with adequate diet, rest, and exercise. Your employees will look to you as the model for coping skills. It is also good to involve your family as a support system instead of viewing them as the same category as your employees. A strong support system will charge your batteries to face the new challenges of each day.

Acknowledge Your Own Feelings

One of the biggest traps for leaders and managers at all levels who have gone through major change is to deny natural emotional reactions. While they have a responsibility to model effective leadership in a time of stress, this does not mean acting “above it all”. In fact, modelling emotional honesty as a means to healing can be one of their greatest contributions to other employees. Consider seeking support from human resources or other professional colleagues outside the organisation.