Change Fatigue

I've found navigating change can feel like running through a big cloud of fog...or completing a challenging maze, not knowing which way to turn next (like this crazy maze my son made in the sand!). 
 
This is a topic we feel is so important to spend time learning about and proactively developing in ourselves and those around us. Change continues to be a steady constant in our lives. If not managed carefully, it can lead us unnecessarily to ‘Change Fatigue'.
 
I must give a big thank you to Nikki Carter for writing this awesome Indeed article on 'Combating Change Fatigue'. It was awesome to be part of the process and have the opportunity to share our insight with the hope of helping more people navigate this in a healthy and productive way. Though it is not necessarily easy, it is possible! 
 
Change fatigue refers to the feeling of being exhausted by the constant changes going on in a workplace. An interesting thing about change fatigue is that it doesn't matter if the changes are seen as positive; they still contribute to employees' fatigue. Some symptoms of change fatigue include:

• Low Performance
• Negative outlook or attitude
• Attendance challenges
• Burnout or exhaustion

 
I remember the first time I went through this myself and felt like the floor was crumbling from underneath me. It felt much harder to move the needle and make an impact. There was so much organizational change all around me. This included a lot of leadership transition- real partners/mentors/supporters I had come to trust were moving on. It felt impossible to succeed and learn the 'new way' of operating without the same trusted support system. Living through this multiple times, I now understand with the uncertainty, change also brings MUCH creativity, new opportunities, new talent, even new friendships and CAN lead to much success and growth on the other side. 

This is a real thing many of us deal with but there are tried and true ways we can better manage this when leading ourselves and others through change. 
 
Feel free to check out the Indeed article which shares recommendations from our HIHR strategies as well as other experienced change agents on combating this real challenge. As humans, we can only handle so much change at a time. In seasons that may feel like non-stop change professionally, personally, etc., it is important to be kind to ourselves, prioritize health, have honest conversations with our leaders/teams and be open to new possibilities! 
 
We offer in-depth training and coaching on this very thing. We love to support and walk closely with those navigating these big and impactful seasons of change with the goal of making the most of the opportunities that change always seems to promote!  
  
#changeleadership #changemanagement #hrcommunity #hr #indeed #traininganddevelopment

​Author: Erika Butler, CEO

---