8 things true professionals do when an organizational change hits them

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Organizational changes are common, so employees need to be agile and prepared to pivot in the company’s new direction. But doing so might take a toll on anyone.

Organizational changes are often unfocused, uninspired, and unsuccessful. A research shows that 70 percent of transformation efforts fail often due to change fatigue.

I went to Glassdoor, a jobs platform containing company reviews, to quickly check what people said about the companies that underwent change. The negative reviews I found often contained the words confusing, no drive, complex, senseless, and politicking, among others. When change was done right, people wrote words like lean, supportive manager, many opportunities, and good exposure.

Ambiguity and uneasiness

All too often, we have had changes thrust upon us. During some of my networking sessions, many people have approached me, telling me about the ambiguity they are dealing with, the sleepless nights that plague them, and the sense of dread that surrounds them. A few of them shared about the uneasiness they feel not for themselves but altruistically for their friends who are breadwinners and will suffer without a job.

If you’ve experienced an organizational change, you’d know these worries:

• Not knowing whether you still have a role after the reorganization
• Asking yourself how you’ll feel if you’re told you no longer have a role
• Being patient and maintaining excellence in your job when it’s taking so much out of you

But true professionals will not let their work reputation suffer in spite of uncertainties. I have heard of an executive who turned his work over from early in the morning until late in the evening on his last day of work. That dedication is something to be admired.

How to be resilient

I have been fortunate to witness the tenacity of some professionals who have gone through major reorganizations. So, I am listing the good things I have seen these resilient professionals did to get out of a funk.

Ready some cash

Make sure to set aside at least three to six months’ worth of pay. This should take care of your most immediate financial needs if you do not have a regular income. While meeting their mortgages, children’s education, living expenses, and insurance payments were all part of their worries, resilient professionals are ready as they had put some money aside for emergencies.

Reach out 

Share your concerns with your colleagues who are probably in the same boat. Chat with the management or the human resources team to see if they are able to share the latest change update with you.

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