By the end of 2014, I will have reported directly to five different executives/managers in a 12-month period of time while being employed simultaneously by two employers. Did you get that–FIVE different executives/managers! That’s a lot of change for one employee to wrap his/her arms around. It can be somewhat tricky figuring out how to work effectively for so many different incredible people in a lifetime let alone in one calendar year.
I don’t profess to be an expert in organizational leadership and change, but I do know that my goal this year has been to support change, move forward, and thrive. I have chosen to remember the past, live in the present, and look forward to the future. Here’s what I have learned through deliberate, purposeful reflection over the past 10 months.
It’s Your First Day on the Job: Starting with the first day of transition, employees must begin again to build new relationships and work partnerships. I found that I had to be open to work differently, diligently, creatively, and intently as though this was also my first day on the job.
Create New Routines: To be successful in supporting a new executive/manager, it’s important to look through a completely different lens. I have had to be willing to let go of the past, let go of routines, be open to changes, adapt to new styles, and work differently. I’m okay with that! New beginnings can be exciting.
Create New Successes: Prior successes with past executive/managers will not be able to carry you forward for long. You have to want to start from scratch and create new successes.
Be Supportive: Be respectful and supportive of new ideas, directions, and policies when presented by a new executive/manager. When a new idea or policy is brought forward, my role is to jump on board and be supportive.
Ask Questions: Do not make assumptions. I have learned that many executives/managers have their own way of wanting to conduct daily business. Ask questions to learn their methods and routines. Learn why they do what they do. Provide suggestions that will compliment their methods and routines. My role is to help and support my executive/manager achieve organizational goals by being a valuable member of his/her team.
Seek and Embrace New Opportunities: With each change, new opportunities are on the horizon. This year I have dumped old responsibilities and owned new ones. I have used different skillsets and worked to develop new ones. Trust me…boredom is not a word I ever use.
As human beings, we have the ability to choose for ourselves how we will react and interact during each day and with each person we encounter. Amazingly, we have the power to choose our attitudes, develop our beliefs, and create new habits.
There is no doubt that I will experience more executive/management changes in my lifetime. Perhaps you will, too. My ongoing hope for each of us is that we can support the individuals hired to lead businesses and departments to be the best that they can be in their role as leaders.