"Change is inevitable. Growth is optional." -- Unknown

It's a myth that people don't like change. We seek out new things in our lives all the time -- jobs, homes, friends, learning opportunities, new places to eat, stuff... What we don't like is when change happens to us.

No question; change has hit the fan. Everybody I know, every organization I've been working with has been sprayed from every direction by things outside their control. Who's faring best? Those who are ready and looking for the opportunities even in the changes they can't control.

A Simple Test for Change Readiness

We tested a client group once on their change readiness. There were 120 company leaders from around the world. Our job was to kick off a three-day process to overhaul their global service organization. A short time into the session, with leaders seated eight to table, we imposed an arbitrary change. We randomly designated four people at each table to move to new tables. There were a couple of restrictions: no two people from the same table could relocate together, and people arriving at new tables could not sit in empty chairs.

The move was chaotic and noisy. A few people sat on others' laps or tabletops until figuring out "not sitting in an empty chair" could mean asking someone else to move to a new spot at the same table. Some people were laughing. Others were grousing. Once everyone was resettled we asked for reactions. One woman, practically in tears, said, "I'm ready to leave." She had gone to two different tables and been turned away. Her colleagues were unwilling to move.

The question we posed: If you are unwilling to change seats in a meeting room, how likely are you to make the dramatic shifts the company is requiring of you ?

Silly exercise? Maybe. But I it has a valid and telling purpose.

Change outside our control happens in the world every day. It hits without reason or explanation. Our initial reaction to this crazy flux is instinctive and often displays as it did in this group, as negative or positive. But in the end, weathering change, thriving through change, doesn't depend on your first response. What matters most is how fast you can get back on track.

If your car has a flat tire, no amount of cursing your bad luck will get you rolling again. If you want to drive, you have to get out the jack and spare or call a tow truck. You have to get on with what needs to be changed and can be changed, and then move on.

Go.

Grow.

We all have that choice.

Make a Difference,

Brian
Blog: Brian@Growthworks -- Life, Learning & Leadership