How to Become More Comfortable with Change

Signs you’re a “resistor”:

• You bring up reasons that something cannot be done based on precedent or history.
• You agree to a stated commitment, and then find reasons not to execute on it later.
• You poke holes in plans as a means of avoiding or stalling action.

Shift toward a change-ready mindset:

• Explore how the solution is different from what happened in the past. Be informed by the past — but not captured by it.
• Raise your reservations at the appropriate time. Participate in the debate to get to a better solution.
• Ask questions that improve and encourage the solution rather than shut it down.

Signs you’re a “controller”:

• You seek information that supports your own views or reservations.
• You prefer getting detailed instructions on what to do instead of inquiring about what has been tried already and generating a brand new plan. 
• You discount obstacles raised by others to stick to the plan.

Shift toward a change-ready mindset:

• Discuss your idea or solution with a diverse group of colleagues to gain perspective and improve on the idea.
• Rather than just sharing your expertise or what you would do in the situation, ask what is been already tried.

Almost everyone has a predominant relationship to change that will drive their thoughts and actions, but different situations also bring out different responses.

​​Change-ready people look at changes both big and small as opportunities for personal development, and “failed” experiments as a rich source of learning and growth. Similarly, they look for ways to break out of old ways of thinking, stay curious, and challenge the status quo.