Leading with Flexibility: How to Manage Change in Your Team

Your attitude towards change can greatly impact how well your team adapts and responds to change. Do you tend to be stuck in your ways when the unknown feels overwhelming or like too much to handle? Does your team tend to respond the same? 

In leadership, you have to be proactive when changes come up. Let's talk about the mindset shifts needed to lead the way. 

Embrace the ideas and changes that a team can bring!

When you bring on new hires with expertise in certain areas,  let them build on the foundation you've set. That means being open to their ideas, opinions, and expertise. After all, you hired them for their knowledge. If you don't listen to what they have to say or refuse to consider their suggestions, you're missing out on their value. 

Create an environment where everyone's contributions are appreciated and encouraged, no matter their role or position within the team.

Communicate changes to your team. Don't surprise them! 

Keeping your team in the dark about changes works against the changes you're hoping to make. It is important to keep your team informed about changes, explaining the benefits and providing transparent next steps to build trust and address concerns.

You may consider having an alignment session to brief your team about the upcoming changes and answer any questions they may have. This approach can help you ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the changes are implemented successfully.

Get your team involved and engaged in the change, and you'll see how much more open they become to it.

Don't forget to include your team members in the change process and encourage their participation. Adults like to feel included too! If they feel left out, they may become resistant to the change. Therefore, involving your team in big changes is KEY. When you include them in the vision, they are more likely to be receptive to the changes, and the implementation will be smoother.

To ensure a successful transition, make sure to define roles and highlight the skillsets that will be valuable in the process. Assess workloads and avoid overloading your team with added responsibilities. 

Change is inevitable, both in life and in business. As a leader, it's important to be prepared to tackle changes head-on and lead the way for your team to handle them in a healthy way. By doing so, you can make sure that your team is well-equipped to adapt to any changes that come their way.