The Winds of Change + 10 ideas on how to manage

Change is on my mind. It’s swirling around me, you, us and we just launched our latest campaign Change doesn’t have to suck at Mirus Australia. It’s our response to the significant changes in the Australian Aged Care industry and our role in supporting where we can, with the shared goal of so many others of #makingagedcarebetter.

Here are my 10 ideas on how to manage change. Please share your own with us.

#1 Curious and #2 Creative are a little easier for me. They are two of my personal values that I practice every day. Curious reminds me to ask questions, don’t assume and continue to learn. Creative thinking is integral for all people, not only those who work or live for artistic pursuits. Go to museums, galleries, see a live band, read a great book or write poetry, take off your shoes and feel the grass – to get you in the mood and open up the right side of your brain. Creative thought ensures we evaluate new perspectives and challenge assumptions.

#3 Confidence. Talk to yourself! Especially on those days when you are not feeling as confident. Apparently Naval Seals learn the power of positive self-talk as a way of getting through tough times. Instead of negative self-talk — “I’m just not cut out for this” try positive self talk — “I just need to keep working at it.”

#4 Certainty. In business, a process is a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end and a system is a collection of elements or components that are organised for a common purpose. So the processes are all related activities inside the system that all work together to make the “something” function and to increase the chances of certainty. In life, the only certainty is the uncertainty of life! We should continue to make our plans but hold the process, system or even the outcomes lightly. There may be other better ideas, bigger plans, and dreams that you have not even thought of yet.

#5 Courage. ‘Vulnerability is hard, and it’s scary, and it feels dangerous. But it’s not as hard or scary or dangerous as getting to the end of our lives and having to ask ourselves, “What if I would’ve shown up?” Vulnerability is not about winning. It’s not about losing. It’s having the courage to show up when you can’t control the outcome.” – Brene Brown. That’s all I have to say about that.

#6 Calm I adopted the following phrase from my girlfriend’s mum as a guide for my own personal philosophy: “Cool head, warm heart.” I have lived most of life with passion, so far. It has served me well. However, it can be exhausting to feel this way about everything and all of the time. Learning the art of self-care and the power of calm to consider solutions, explore new ideas or simply give my brain, heart and mind a rest to refocus, refuel and reset is critical, especially during times of change.

#7 Cheerful is a doing word or an adjective and when you are noticeably happy and optimistic. During times of change, we frequently feel a multitude of emotions. From disbelief, grief, anger, gratitude, relief and everything in between. I have been known to “fake it til you make it.” I use cheerful, fun and laughs, particularly when I am stressed and also when I am not stressed! Try shifting your focus from “overcoming a problem” to “creating a solution” and do it with cheerfulness.

#8 Care. Self-care and care for others. I believe care should come without any conditions attached. Care is “the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something” and even for yourself. During times of change learn to watch and listen. Some will voice their anxieties and some through changes in behaviours. Learn to talk openly and regularly about what you know, what you don’t know and encourage input from the people you care about.

#9 Complexity. Please read “SIMPLICITY: An Elegant and Powerful Business Concept” by Edward Debono if you ever get the chance. In this book, lateral-thinking guru Edward de Bono attempts to show us how to bring simplicity into our increasingly complicated lives. Complexity and change occur fast today, and it’s getting faster including technology, science, culture, the human population, and climate change. And what about the changes happening within us, to us and around us?  Complexity is not always harmful for example in business, new products, and services or regulatory changes imposed may be complex but represent long-term value. The answer is not to make things as simple as possible, but to eliminate any complexity that makes it hard to get things done.

#10 Co-source. Don’t go it alone. Independence can be a beautiful thing but it doesn’t come without its own set of flaws including finding it hard to ask for help, loneliness, and disconnection to name a few. In business, finding subject matter experts or professionals to support your new big idea or personally assist you as you adjust or change your own plans will not only save you time and money but minimise any negative impacts of change and amplify the positive outcome of change! One person can accomplish a whole lot, but it doesn’t come anywhere close to leveraging the power of a community. We need each other.

Amanda Jones (previously Terranova is presenting “Marketing Hacks” at the up and coming LASA Congress and “Staying Authentic” for the Next Gen initiative in Tasmania. Adelaide and Perth. For more please visit the Mirus Australia events page.