Thriving in Change: Scale Down to Step Up

Are you slow to change even when things are bad?  Thriving in change is not as complicated as you think. Those who thrive in change act on one belief: scale down to step up.

Thriving in Change - Step Up Image by:KevinH

Scale Down to Step Up

  1. Abandon absolutes of your thoughts and make space for new ideas.  I always saw myself as a speaker and not a writer.  I now do both.
  2. Move constant complainers off the team to boost morale and productivity of committed workers. The re-energized team will produce better results.
  3. Reduce false hope that things will change and increase actions to make things change. Take small steps forward. You lessen fear of mistakes and build self empowerment.
  4. Eliminate relationships that focus on your weaknesses and step up to supportive connections. I walked away from a 15 year friendship when  I admitted that she was a wart on the spirit of life.
  5. Give up comforts that keep you in the present and adopt new comforts that move you forward. I scaled down cable TV. I found all types of fun online learning and discovered more time for interesting new friends and Latin dancing.

Thriving in Change. Throw off the old myth: better the devil you know.  Habit makes the current pain seem easier for now.  But thought-filled action brings new found possibilities and a new found confidence.

Best wishes for your future. I am here as your GPS and catalytic force.

From my professional experience to your success,
Kate Nasser, The People-Skills Coach™

©2011 Kate Nasser, CAS, Inc. Somerville, NJ. If you want to re-post or republish the content of this post, please first email info@katenasser.com for terms of use. Thank you for respecting intellectual capital.


Kate Nasser, The People-Skills Coach™, delivers coaching, consulting, training, and keynotes on leading change, customer service, customer experience, and teamwork. For 23 years, she has turned interaction obstacles into business success. See this site for workshop outlines, keynote footage, and customer testimonials and results.

6 Responses to “Thriving in Change: Scale Down to Step Up”

  1. Kate,

    This is a very powerful message. I’m passing this on to some friends and family that need this message.

    After each bullet it caused me to stop and reflect.

    1. You can be whatever you imagine yourself to be if you put in the time and effort. Like you, I switched from a successful career. During the switch I also decided to start a business. New thoughts and ideas are powerful. Putting them into practice is liberating.

    2. I have ALWAYS preached to my teams the power of “addition by subtraction”. I have never had a problem removing a team member who brought everyone down. I would rather have a small team of dedicated, friendly, competent people than a larger team with a few complainers who detract from the team.

    3. If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me. (I have this on my upcoming blog topic list)

    4. Sometimes you outgrow people. They change. You change. Recognize when it’s time to move on. You’ll be surprised who/what will fill that space in your life.

    5. Recognizing the anchors in our life that hold us back is tough. Maybe it’s a relationship, maybe it’s food, maybe it’s a habit, no matter, you have the choice to move on from it.

    -Matt

    • Kate Nasser says:

      You examples strengthen this post Matt. I really like your phrase “anchors hold us back”. Some people see anchors as totally positive and eliminating chance for failure. In truth, they can sink you — sorry, I just had to make that pun.

      I am grateful for the depth of your comments here.
      Kate

  2. One of your best posts yet Kate! These five tips are a must read for anyone looking to make the most of new opportunities and drive change. — Joan

    • Kate Nasser says:

      A friend of mine reflected on how many changes I had initiated over the years and asked me how I did it? That brought me to this post — and it was a last minute move. I am warmed by your comment and thrilled that you think it will help so many others.

      Thank you Joan.
      Kate

  3. Bill Kreh says:

    These are excellent and like Kate mentioned, each one really caused me to stop and reflect on my own status with each of these. I would add a few questions to each of these that involve relationships considering personal responsibility and accountability.

    How long and in depth should I personally work to improve a team member’s poor morale?

    How does my definition of a poor attitude differ from another team members view?

    Why has a friendship come to focus on my weaknesses, it is a close enough friendship worth improving?

    I believe that the points you make involving relationships and people (2&4) are definitely the most difficult and usually very unique in nature. Change is not easy, and if you have wallowed in a stagnant state for a time then stepping up takes greater disruption to your life.

    • Kate Nasser says:

      Hi Bill,
      Your mindful questions expand this discussion in the way I hope the post would engage others.

      #1 How long and in depth should I personally work to imp. a team member’s poor morale? One of my clients has this has her primary challenge. My reply is another question: How can you work on someone’s morale? Each team member is responsible for his/her own morale. You as a leader can ensure that your own actions are not highly demoralizing to the team, you can create an environment of openness, integration, and action — yet in the end each person must choose how they will act.

      #2 Definition of poor attitude: this is a telling question. The three components I advise others to consider: time, pattern, impact on others & on results. Perhaps I will write a post on this topic. It seems to be worthy of further attention.

      #3 The friendship worth improving: In the story I told, I actually sat down and asked her if we could work on the friendship. That there was something I was uncomfortable with. Her answer was: If you don’t like the friendship the way it is, too bad. My intuition and exp told me that would be her response yet I was glad I gave her the chance.

      I am thrilled to have you as a visitor to this Smart SenseAbilities blog and hope you will comment on any post that spurs your thoughts.
      Best wishes,
      Kate

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