How to Develop a Change-Adept Workforce

There are 6 qualities common to those who thrive on change. Here’s how to develop

these qualities in the people who report to you.

Quality #1: Confidence

The personality trait most responsible for the ability to deal well with change is self-

confidence.

Strategy: Play to people’s strengths

Stop focusing on building up weaknesses. Instead, identify and build on those

competencies and accomplishments that make someone special.

Quality #2: Challenge

In fast-moving, high-stress business environments, a positive, upbeat, “can-do”

attitude is vital for success.

Strategy: Nurture people’s optimism

While it is important to acknowledge the stress, uncertainty, and disruption that

change brings, it is also crucial to emphasize the opportunities for growth,

challenge, and reward.

Quality #3: Coping

Change-adept employees are able to cope with and adapt to a complex, fast-paced

reality.

Strategy: Lighten up!

Rather than bracing for the inevitable pressure, remember to bring a sense of

humor and spirit of fun to the workplace to cushion all that rolling with the

punches.

Factor #4: Counterbalance

People with interests beyond their professions and organizations are more resilient

under stress and more effective on the job.

Strategy: Let people get a life!

Encourage your staff to compensate for the demands and pressure of work by

developing counterbalancing activities in other areas of their life.

Factor #5: Creativity

Creative people embrace changing business conditions that expose them to new

knowledge, new people, and new experiences.

Strategy: Honor people’s “inner genius”

Remember that everyone was born with a creative capacity that needs to be

nurtured and engaged.

Factor #6: Collaboration

A new workplace reality is that none of us can succeed alone.

Strategy: Build your collaboration skills

You can’t command and control collaboration and teamwork. But you can influence

others to collaborate and share their ideas by creating an environment in which it is

safe, enjoyable, and beneficial to do so.