As Bob Dylan wrote back in 1962: “As the present now will later be past. The order is rapidly fadin’. And the first one now will later be last. For the times they are a-changin’.”
It is funny how every generation speaks to the rapid pace of change and the need to embrace it – or risk becoming irrelevant. Despite this constant drumbeat, people are still resistant to change. It is easy to see why – in our current business climate, sales activity is strong, and the security industry continues to show rapid growth. Top-line revenues are robust, and profits are solid. Why fix what isn’t broken?
Still, we know that to stay relevant in any industry change is necessary. Do a web search for XaaS (Anything as a Service), IoT (Internet of Things), AI (Artificial Intelligence) and “Digital Transformation”– read predictions from experts in security, cyber, IT and finance and how these things will impact our lives and our industry. Change is everywhere.
Five Ways to Deal with Change
Here are five ways to embrace and lead change within yourself or your organization:
1. Recognize that change is inevitable – This is a very simple concept, but one that is hard to accept for many. Try as we might, we cannot stop our world from evolving and technology and services from advancing. Things we are doing today might be headed for obsolescence in a matter of weeks or months.
2. Look beyond the day-to-day operations and see big-picture trends – What leading-edge technologies are making news in consumer electronics? What are the trends in B2B industries like IT, cyber, telephony and A/V? What models are adapting, evolving or worse, dying? Be sure that you have a plan for positioning your team to capitalize on these changes.
3. Mind your emotions and ego – Make sure you are not a single-source impediment to change within your organization. Are you resisting change based on a fear of failure? This can cloud your judgment and cause you to make bad decisions. Emotionally intelligent people are willing to delay gratification, act courageously, tolerate conflict and be accountable.
4. Overcome fear and doubt – These are both natural reactions to upcoming changes. Fear is arguably the strongest human emotion and fear of change or failure can be debilitating. There are many varying steps to dealing with fear. One simple approach is the AWARE model:
- Accept the fear. Don’t try and fight it.
- Watch it. Be removed and observe it. When you see it increasing, practice dialing it back. Use long, slow breathing to help.
- Act normally. This sends a powerful signal to your subconscious that you’ve been here before and you can handle it.
- Repeat the above steps as necessary.
- Expect good things. It’s easy to expect the worst. Surprisingly enough, it’s also easy to expect the best!
5. Be willing to take a step back in order to move forward – This may sound negative, but it really is not. The old adage about not being able to see the forest for the trees assumes that the person is standing too close and needs to take a step back to gain perspective. Think of the parallels to your current position. Are you so focused on day-to-day tasks that you are unable to see the changes that would position your company for success?
Give yourself control over your direction and the pace at which it occurs. I’m reminded of my student days when term papers were due. I had 6 weeks to complete the task – when I started early, I had a lot of options and leeway; if I waited until the last minute, I had very few options, little leeway and lots of stress.
Of course, always remember this great quote from Denis Waitley: “You must welcome change as the rule but not your ruler.” While it is important to accept and embrace change, it is not the most important thing in your daily life.
Tim Brooks is VP of Sales & Vendor Management for PSA Security Network. Request more info about PSA at www.securityinfowatch.com/10214742.
