Mergers, divestments, acquisitions, downsizes… I have experienced no less than twelve such changes, nine of them while managing projects. Change is a constant in our modern business landscape, but it need not be bad. These examples chart part of a personal journey that has taught me that, while often stressful, change can be an opportunity for growth.
The Impact of Change:
Change triggers a fear of the unknown, leading to fight-or-flight responses. This fear is rooted in our survival instincts, but its modern manifestation can be counterproductive. One of three reactions is common: fight, run, or freeze. Today, we face the same choice with different labels. Do you react with hostility to change? Avoid the issue? Or embrace the opportunities presented? Recognise your fear and master it.
Physical and Emotional Wellbeing:
During times of stress, your body loads up on adrenaline and cortisol to prepare your body for fight or flight. Extended exposure to this state leaves you exhausted and cognitively impaired. Long-term exposure to high stress levels can lead to burnout and serious health consequences. I have watched colleagues on more than one intense project work to a caffeine-induced standstill.
Chronic stress from change disrupts the body's balance. Reduce the physical stress by taking care of your body. Get some exercise, get enough sleep, stay well hydrated, and minimise your consumption of caffeine and sugar. All of these reduce the flood of stress hormones and return your body to a calm state.
Change also affects us emotionally. Expect to experience a cycle of emotions during change: fear, denial, anger, depression, and finally acceptance. These are natural emotion that we all need to work through. Talking to a trusted confidante, such as a supervisor, colleague, or professional counsellor, can be invaluable.
Teamwork in Times of Change:
You are the epi-center of the project. Calm (or chaos, if you so choose) spreads out around you and is contagious. One of the soft skills all project managers must master is that of influence. As a leader, you motivate team members to achieve great outcomes. Be the project manager your people can trust. That will mean having uncomfortable, honest conversations. I’ve had people vent in all kinds of ways, from explosive anger to floods of tears, but talking through the issues has helped these people and sometimes helped me as their project manager. Engage your team in planning for impending change and encourage diversity of opinion. This allows your team to express their ideas and gives you a support network of like-minded people who can share your experience of the change.
Project Management During Change:
New project managers learn about half of what they need to know from their course. You learn about schedule, risk, and budget; these are the so-called hard skills. The other, less well-defined half consists of the soft skills, such communication, interpersonal skills, and teamwork. These are the skills that come with practical exposure, and many of them relate to how you work with other people. Times of change require strong soft skills. Managing scope and expectations is paramount, and your internal network becomes invaluable to navigate external disruptions.
Project Closure and Transition:
All projects come to an end, and this is another change for you to face. Significant projects consume an appreciable portion of your career. The return to the “day job” after this can be a shock.
Recognise that this too is a change and take the time to reflect on everything you have achieved. Big projects leave us with skills and experience we did not have before. Some of these will lead to other opportunities.
In conclusion, change, while inevitable and often stressful, can be an opportunity for personal and professional growth. By managing your physical and emotional well-being, fostering open communication within your team, and applying strong project management skills, you can not only survive but thrive in a world of constant change.