Let’s face it, if we are not changing, chances are we’re not alive. Resistance to change is normal and natural. You see, the minute your brain realizes you are moving out of your ‘comfort zone’…it automatically sets off the famous “fright/flight/freeze response”, to some extent. This “fright/flight/freeze response” is otherwise known as the “stress response”. If you perceive the change as desirable or something you want, then your brain instantly shuts down the stress-response and the release of the stress hormones. So it is that being involved in the planning process of a change event, and having a deep understanding of the need for the change provides you with huge leverage for overcoming your change-resistance.
Unfortunately, the more complex an organizational system is, the more difficult it is to involve all change-event participants. And today’s knowledge-based organizations, and particularly public services organizations, are some of the most complex organizational systems that exist on the planet … . In many complex organizations, change planning processes can take as long as 12 months, or more … even years! And in public service organizations, many change planning processes occur at a ministry level or some other top level of government, … far removed from the front lines.
We need to look to the research coming from the Neurosciences to begin to understand why today’s work environment affects so many of us the way it does. Then we need to develop our leaders so they have the knowledge and understanding necessary to help others stop the flood of stress hormones to result in a healthier workforce — physically, mentally and emotionally. One such skill is the skill of Positive Presence™. Positive Presence is a new and deliberate way of thinking and behaving that makes the connection between emotional energy and behaviour and is easily practiced and developed right on the job. For many, it is just a lot of common sense, but for others it is a slow and gentle process that requires the help of both team mates and leaders.
If you work in an environment that seems to blind-side you with constant change, you are not alone. However, it is you, and you alone, that makes the decision of whether unwanted change will affect you negatively or positively. Make the decision today to embrace change and learn the skill of Positive Presence to keep yourself healthy and happy at work.
CORPORATE HARMONY is grateful to Dr. Michael E. Frisina for his contributions to this entry.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.