It seems the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus was right when he famously said,” The only constant in life is change”.
I received a ton of responses to last week’s newsletter. A recurring theme was the frustration stemming from a lack of co-creation in changes happening within organizations. Many of you are clearly feeling the impact of changes where your input is missing.
Change in the workplace isn’t always optional. Sometimes it’s a new leader, a reorganization, or a shift in strategy that wasn’t your choice. Even when you didn’t ask for it, you still have to figure out how to move forward. The good news? You have more influence over how you respond than you may realize.
Your Response is Your Power
For those who have followed my journey, you know my childhood wasn’t always easy. But one profound lesson I learned is this: you can’t always control what happens to you in life, but you can control how you respond to it.
Interestingly, MIT research suggests that a staggering 50% of the difference between high-performing and low-performing teams boils down to the quality of communication. So, when you’re frustrated by the imposed changes outside your control, the crucial question becomes: how will you respond?
Here are a few ways to navigate change you didn’t choose:
- Acknowledge your feelings
It’s normal to feel frustrated, uncertain, or even resistant. Give yourself space to process those emotions instead of ignoring them. Process doesn’t mean spread so be careful not to make discomfort, frustration, anger or other negative feelings contagious to others. - Separate fact from fear
Often, the “unknown” feels scarier than the change itself. Ask yourself: what do I actually know versus what am I assuming? - Seek clarity
Ask questions about what the change means for your role, team, and future. Find out how the change will be implemented and what the timeline is. The more you understand, the less powerless you’ll feel. - Focus on what you can control
You can’t stop the change, but you can control your attitude, your effort, and how you show up. Energy spent here is far more productive than resisting. - Stay connected
Talk with colleagues, mentors, or leaders. Sharing perspectives and supporting each other helps reduce isolation and build resilience. If you see others struggling with the same emotions around the change, seek to be a sounding board and help them process. Share how you are engaging in the change to lessen the fear. - Look for opportunity
Even tough changes often open doors—new skills to learn, visibility with leadership, or a chance to show adaptability. Ask yourself, “What’s the potential upside here?”
Choose Your Path
Will you embrace the change, actively seeking the communication and clarity you need? Or will you resist, perhaps hindering progress?
As a child of divorce, I chose to see my parents’ struggles as a powerful lesson in what not to do. Having just celebrated 21 years of marriage without a single fight (Bicker, yes. Fight – nope), I can confidently say that choosing a different response works.
Focus on What You Can Influence
When you feel powerless or frustrated by circumstances, take a step back and focus on what is within your control. Consider what you need in terms of communication, input, training, and time. Then, consciously choose a response that will ultimately serve you best in the long run.
Change you didn’t choose can feel unsettling, but it can also become a turning point in your career. By leaning into adaptability instead of resistance, you put yourself in the best position to thrive no matter what comes next.
What’s one thing you can control in your current changing situation?