It's time to lose the fear of change

The world of work is changing at an increasingly fast pace. As revealed by the Manpower Group study. 98% of organizations underwent some major structural change between 2009 and 2014 due, among other things, to technological advances and the current state of the markets.

It is in this new horizon, where we cannot consider the possibility of looking the other way, that there is an urgent need to adapt to the new reality, and to embrace it not as a threat, but as a great opportunity for personal and professional growth. In the case of organizations, flexibility is crucial when it comes to adapting to market needs in order to have satisfied customers.

The problem with change is the feeling of uncertainty and disorientation generated by a situation we have not experienced before and are not sure how to handle.

More and more organizations are deciding to shift their organizational culture. Sometimes this is done voluntarily, understanding the shift as necessary to compete in the market. Other times it is a consequence of company mergers or acquisitions, which makes it truly difficult to integrate both people and procedures.

But if there is one constant in this life, it is change, which is why flexibility and adaptation to new situations are vital to open our perceptions and work more effectively, accepting changes in our organizations and also those generated in the job itself.

Flexibility -one of the most important values in our Fresh People decalogue– combines both the will and the ability to respond quickly and accurately to circumstances that change on a day-to-day basis.

Circumstances that can take the form of changes in an organization's leadership, alterations in the work team we are used to, or modifications in the projects and objectives to be achieved.

When it comes to work, being flexible is increasingly valuable. According to the aforementioned study, for 53% of employers the ability to deal with unforeseen events is the key attribute for the success of future employees. And, according to the University of Kent, flexibility ranks in the top 10 of skills demanded by organizations such as Microsoft or the BBC.

Being flexible is a universal competency and makes anyone a valuable employee, regardless of the type of work they do. Any organization wants flexible people on its team, willing to go beyond their job description and modify their approach to tasks when the situation demands it.

The benefits of being flexible are clear. Now, how do you achieve it?

Who hasn't had the experience of being used to doing things a certain way at work, only for their boss to change it? Or when you have your day planned and something urgent comes up that forces you to drop everything. The initial feeling is one of overwhelm and anger, but we must learn to manage it to our advantage, always thinking of these situations as challenges, opportunities that present themselves, and although sometimes we may not feel like it or may even dislike it, always looking at things with perspective brings us growth, learning, and surely new sources of motivation.

Feeling bad is an option, and if you choose it, you will have to consider what it brings you, not only to yourself, but to those around you.

We are sure that a positive and conscious attitude towards change brings endless benefits, not only personal but also professional. Who knows? Maybe it is an opportunity to reach that new position of responsibility that has been created in your organization and that you long for so much…

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

Some people are naturally more predisposed to flexibility, but without a doubt it is something that must be exercised consciously. Doing so will bring you short and long-term benefits in any professional project and in your personal development. Try to practice -and demonstrate- flexibility: offer help to colleagues if you notice they are overloaded, show a willingness to learn new procedures or techniques, think of different solutions when identifying a problem, or experiment with new methods to achieve your goals.

If you embrace transformations and unforeseen events and get used to managing changes instead of preventing them, your receptiveness to problems and difficulties will improve, and they will cease to be adversities and become opportunities. Every change is a learning experience and a chance to make yourself heard by presenting solutions.