Managing Change in Changing Times

“The Times They are A-Changin,’” wrote singer Bob Dylan in 1963. In an interview soon after the tune’s release, Dylan stated that when he recorded it “something had just gone haywire in the country.” In truth, both the song’s lyrics and its early sentiment accurately sum up today’s catastrophic changes.

That America is in the midst of change unlike many can ever recall is evident. At last count, over 413,000 individuals in Georgia alone are out of work. The number of people losing their homes nationwide steadily continues to climb. And if those things are not enough, the up and down movement on Wall Street is enough to cause whiplash to investors everywhere.

In his 1996 book, Deep Change-Discovering the Leader Within, scholar, Robert E. Quinn, sums up change as “Walking Naked into the Land of Uncertainty.” According to Quinn, “Deep Change” explores not only change management, but also addresses a new way of thinking about change, and how it affects our lives. Thus, “Walking Naked into the Land of Uncertainty” was the impetuous for my workshop entitled, Managing Personal Change (to Create Opportunities) at last month’s Opportunity Knocks’ Launch Yourself Career Conference.

Change is described as an event or situation which occurs outside of an individual. Change can also occur within an individual as well. Still, to fully understand the change process requires examining the six distinct stages of change: loss, doubt, discomfort, discovery, understanding and integration. Individuals may experience both personal loss and organizational loss (job related) simultaneously. Understanding each stage will go a long way to minimizing fear, uncertainty and an individual’s failure to move forward.

Stage One — Loss. At Stage One, life as we know it has changed. During this stage an individual often experiences fear, shock and often, anger. Feelings of not being in control are also heightened. The action required at this stage involves taking small steps to regain control. If the loss is your job, the first thing you should do is apply for any benefits (monetary, health, veterans’ etc.) to which you may be entitled.

Communicate what you are feeling with people who care about you. Meditate or read something inspirational. Eat healthy. Most importantly, get plenty of rest. Any type of loss affects your body as well as your spirit. In other words, do whatever you need to regain some sense of control.

Stage Two — Doubt. Individuals continue to experience a sense of uncertainty during Stage Two. A sense of loss of control continues, so any effort toward regaining it is beneficial.

Stage Three — Discomfort. Stage Three is often characterized by anxiety. Individuals feel overwhelmed and confused. Depression normally follows. Focusing on short term accomplishments is important during this stage. Completing job applications in your particular field and confirming an interview are two such accomplishments. Arranging a budget plan for utilities and making payment arrangements with your mortgage company are others.

Stage Four –Discovery. During Stage Four, individuals enter the Hopeful phase. For instance you went on an interview in your field. While you don’t know whether you got the position, you felt the interview went well. You now feel energized. You pen a Thank you letter to the interviewer, and work to confirm a new interview for the following week.

Stage Five – Understanding. Here, individuals feel motivated to explore both short and long-term goals. If your former position was with a non-profit organization, you might consider applying to the open part-time position at a sister agency. Volunteering also enhances your job visibility. Volunteer positions may be added to your resume.

Stage Six–Integration. At this stage, individuals now feel able to move from ‘what was’ to ‘what is.’ Here, individuals are often able to glimpse the future. Even if still unemployed, they may now be able to envision possibilities. Upon finding a position, individuals begin to feel some connection to the organization or new colleagues.

“If you can’t change your fate, change your attitude,” says Amy Tan (author of The Joy Luck Club). While it’s not easy, strive to see change as a chance to explore new opportunities. Only until individuals learn to manage change, is moving forward a possibility.



Carol Gee

Carol Gee, M.A. has worked in education for 26 years in positions ranging from teaching to administration. Currently she is an editor and business writer at Goizueta Business School at Emory University. She is also the author of books, The Venus Chronicles and Diary of a ‘Flygirl’ Wannabe (Life Lessons of a Cool Girl in Training,) and a contributor to the baby boomer book, Age Smart-Discovering the Fountain of Youth at Midlife and Beyond. Carol is a recipient of the Center for Women’s 2009 Unsung Heroine Award for recognition of her dedication to issues that affect women at Emory or in the larger community.
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