change & transition Archives - Kim Wilkish

by Kim Wilkish

Let it go

Many of us don’t like to let go of things.

We hold onto them mentally, physically and emotionally.

We don’t realize how holding on to them causes us stress and unhappiness.

Holding on to things we can’t control keeps us stuck.

We become attached and our fear of losing them causes us to hold on.

Our fear keeps us fixated mentally and emotionally on things we think we need or want.

These attachments may be to things such as people, outcomes, possessions or jobs, etc.

Letting go means to release our attachment.

Letting go leads to freedom in that it releases the stress and source of your pain that is holding you back.

by Kim Wilkish

Communicating Changes

One of the most overlooked things when trying to make a change is communicating the change and getting buy in from the stakeholders and those impacted by the change.

People often think that if they said it once then the change was communicated.

7 Times

Studies have shown that we often need to hear things seven different ways before we take the communication in.

If the change is a small one it’s not uncommon for people to assume that you should just move ahead to the change and that it’s no big deal. BUT…

It is a big deal. Change is hard. To change for change sake isn’t effective either.

People need to understand the change.

Why are we changing? What’s the point?

Are we doing something easier or better? How will the change impact me?

I was recently taking a program and the leader decided to change the program. The problem was that it wasn’t communicated well.

A frequently asked questions (FAQ) document was created but it didn’t capture all of the information.

The communication was done in person to one group but the group contained different audiences. The reaction was not pleasant.

People felt they were losing something that they valued.

The reaction could’ve all been avoided.

Start communicating the change in advance. People need time to process changes. Announcing a change and expecting them to do it the next day or week isn’t going to happen with out some education and explaining the value.

Steps to communicate

Communicate the message to each audience as the change impacts them differently.

Explain the value of the change and why it is being done.

Address objections.

Answer the “WIIFM” What’s in it for me question.

Highlight the benefits of the change.

Ending

Address the feeling that people are losing something.

As with every change there is an ending (of the way things were, or how things were done).

The ending usually involves a mourning process or loss of something.

Acknowledge the loss, support people in the transition, honor the history and then move forward.

Ignoring the history or the loss will lead to some backlash and mistrust regarding the change.

by Kim Wilkish

Unusual Times

COVID-19, A new normal?

In school, we learned about pandemics. I never thought I’d live during one. Coronavirus, COVID-19 is the name of the virus. It is invisible. The impact is so variable. The extremes go from asymptomatic to people requiring to be put on ventilators in ICU. Unfortunately, too many people are dying. We speak of curves and trying to flatten them to peaks to wondering when the surge and decline will occur. Will we have a second wave of this? We don’t know.

Remote Learning

Kids are attending school via laptops, “remote learning” using goggle classroom, FaceTime, Zoom calls etc to stay on track. Teachers are adjusting as are students. Schedules are what you design and making sure you aren’t missing something is a norm. Engagement with students and teachers is via a screen. I know kids are missing their friends and teachers their students. Kids in their senior year are seeing their proms get cancelled and graduations changing or being postponed.

Family

Where family members are living under the same roof have a new dynamic to live with. Constant contact. Parents trying to work from home when they can, parents laid off or furloughed from their jobs, now are also teachers, managers, keeping house and being chefs. Interruption, managing frustrations and feeling disconnected from “normal” is a daily event.

As well as, having deep gratitude that loved ones are healthy and safe.

Checking in with family in friends via telephone, computer, text or social distancing outside is an adjustment. Family gatherings have been limited and celebrations postponed or done virtually. Worry for those that are having a deep feeling of loneliness. Many wanting this to be over.

Patience

Patience is a virtue they say.

More than ever patience is a requirement for survival. We are all making sacrifices and it’s not easy. Rushing to open businesses and “get back to normal” whatever that is or was is not in the best interest for everyone.

We need to be smart. We need to trust in the science. It is especially important to remember that this is something new. The fact that we have been able to develop tests as quickly as we have is amazing.

This too shall pass in time

In the meantime… Take extra care of yourself.