Leanna Cruz
Three keys to maintain personal productivity during change
There are several strategies to smooth the road through change but you will read only three in this online article.
Manage Uncertainty
Minimizing ambiguity and filling in the unknowns will be an addition to your daily responsibilities if not a full time job. With so much change C-level executives will be distracted. They will have their heads down focused on the future and may forget to look up to update those working in the present. Stay informed of the current changes and provide guidance for those you work with to maintain a high level of productivity and minimize disengagement. As a leader you understand the need to be flexible and adaptable but those you are leading will prefer specific assignments with deadlines and feedback.
Increase Efficiency
There is always a loss of resources during organizational change. The best reaction is to identify opportunities to make more efficient use of those resources you do have. If you are given more work to do use technology to improve efficiency.
Focus your energy and resources on high priority goals ensuring that your team knows which priorities are most important. Make sure that everyone on your team is working on tasks which match their strengths. More than ever it is critical to ensure that the right people are in the right position especially if there is no time to offer skill development, although those who see opportunity will take personal responsibility to develop skills realizing opportunities abound during organizational change.
Minimize Disengagement
It is not uncommon for people to react to the frustration and stress of change by complaining and disengaging which will create a drag on progress and productivity. Leaders shouldn’t be surprised to learn that some employees seem to be busy working toward team goals but are actually busy looking busy. Meet with employees when responsibilities are redefined to ensure there is clarity with regard to expectations, decision making authority, accountability and reporting requirements.
Make certain they understand critical aspects of their job especially if there is a chance for job loss if these standards are not met. In this case feedback including opportunities for improvement is also necessary.