You Need A Change Partner
Ready for a change partner? I am here to help you on your journey today.
A Guide to Drive Accountability and Help You Realize Wins.....But Why???
Change leads to progress. Though common knowledge, change stumps us at first, is more disruptive as it evolves, and sheds light at the end of the journey. The tough part is that, from where you are standing, that light seems to simply be a shadow of what can be. Change becomes a more difficult road to travel alone. Once you digest the initial fundamentals of knowing:
What the change is
Why the change is important
How you fit within the change
When the change will take place
Who else the change will affect……You oftentimes need to find a seat in a faraway corner simply to take it all in. Overwhelming, right? And think..... if it is overwhelming to you, what about your children, your family, your subordinates, and your teams who will be grabbing their bags and taking the journey with you.... some excited, some a bit reluctant, and some that have yet to even know how they feel. The good news is that a change partner acts as your coach, accountability partner, mentor, confident and the cornerstone that drives you to productively function in the midst of your transition. They provide tools that free your mind to make clear and confident decisions. They remind you of actions you know equate to a successful win on the other side of change. Assuming the change doesn’t shift your ethical compass, embracing it will be the start to your new normal.
EASING INTO CHANGE
It is easy to wander off the path of healthy change when there’s so much on the line. Big dreams, lofty goals, pressure for results and the black abyss of unknown can be scary, though achievable. The gentlest way to ease into a change is to set and meet small goals. These little victories cultivate growth, establish a sense of trust, and create belief in those who depend on you for success.
As you realize wins and overlay them with what will remain constant during the change, you then become increasingly confident in navigating within the new space.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE
Change is good. Without it, we become stale, stagnant and planted in a sea of status quo. There is no denying that embracing change is tough, however seeking a partner is a strength that you will appreciate when you are growing and thriving in your new beginning. It is easier to share the weight with a friend who will hold you accountable and challenge you on the journey. With Walker & Walker you have a professional friend to help you not only embrace change, but also thrive in it.
THE PROGRAM
The 5-step program offers viable steps to clear, confident & cohesive change:
1. Manage Transition
2. B.E. F.R.E.E.
3. Get C.L.E.A.R
4. Build with Intent
5. Maintain & Sustain
By the end, you will have constructed a C.L.E.A.R change map, which houses strong pillars of support, actionable plans, and commitments of personal accountability to drive results.
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THE CONSULTANCY
The consultancy was birthed from the notion that individuals and teams benefit from an unbiased outsider freeing minds to more effectively transition through change - whether work, home or life. The programs' outcome of a tangible change map, serves as an accountability tool to guide you, and those who depend on you, through your transition.
THE FOUNDER
Lolita E. Walker is the founder of Walker & Walker Enterprises. She is a mother, process improvement specialist and change management expert. She is the change management consultant who will partner with you, personally stepping through how to free your mind, manage your transitions, and embrace your change through acceptance and renewal. Her change management program results in self-discovery of the strengths that will drive your success, coaching that translates into increased communications with those depending on you, and a sustainable change map that drives clarity, confidence, ownership and action. Learn more about her program by visiting https://www.lolitawalker.com
Learning from Your Lessons of Change
Ready for your Change Lesson? There are so many to learn, but let’s simply begin here.
The Lessons of Change
Mrs. Change has taught me soooooo many lessons throughout my lifetime. It’s as if she strategically dropped breadcrumbs along my journey, knowing I would one day reflect and realize there was a use for each one. The lessons were always in plain sight, however blocked by fear, anxiousness, doubt and the unknown. Whether it was the change of being a mom 3-months earlier than expected, or the change of my father passing after 36 years of being an instrumental vessel in my life, or the change of a smaller company acquiring the well-known business I supported for over 17 years, the lessons I clutch tightly are the foundations that have built my consultancy.
My passion of partnering with an individual or a team helps me to step them through the disruption that change has brought to their normal. Facilitating the discussions that free their minds to think clearly and confidently, to then be in a space of open navigation, prompts them to leave lessons of breadcrumbs for those who follow. The intersection of the change and their personal transition is what drives my commitment to live this work!
I would LOVE to learn, through your comments, what is your largest lesson from change? As for me, I will share five of the breadcrumbs that I consistently hold onto during my change journeys:
Lesson 1: Articulate change clearly.
Change is hard at first. When the first domino of change falls and all others are in the perfect line to follow suit, it becomes difficult to articulate your true change statement. This clarity is necessary to create any sustainable actions. Take a pause to articulate your change. After you have done this, breathe! Then dig in and ask yourself why—3 times. Likely you are now at the source of what the true change is. That single domino that stands tall at the forefront is exactly what you want to articulate and what you will create your plans toward. Write it in the form of when, what, and change impact. As a result, you become clear and focused to create the correct plan towards actions and acceptance. For example:
On January 15, 2017, I was laid off from my Vice President position at the company I have worked for 30 years and this has significantly impacted my family’s financial security and lifestyle.
On February 21, 2017, our company was acquired by a significantly smaller company, who is uncommunicative and incomparable by way of benefits, and there is a high threat of a 45-65% employee turnover in the next 6 months.
Lesson 2: Others depend on your success.
Change breeds choices. It is natural to initially be entrenched in how the change affects you alone, despite you being one of many within a family, team or organization. Change is personal and shakes us at our core, therefore oftentimes making us feel and act in isolation. What can you do to assess who truly needs your attention while on your change journey? You have lots of work to do and must be a bit selfish with your time, energy and commitments. It will look and feel different for you, however the promise on the other side of change is well worth the temporary selfishness and attention. Divide a sheet of paper into 3 columns. Write down the names of those who depend on you, what they are dependent upon you for, and if their dependency is associated directly with your change or may result in negative impacts from your change. For those that have a "no" in the third column, consider having a 1:1 conversation with each. You will share that the focus for the next 6 weeks is to embrace and thrive in your own change and would love their support to do so. Their support looks like a difference in how you are currently supporting each of them (which is what you have written in the second column of your sheet of paper). Be clear in your discussion.
Lesson 3: Let go of the old to fully embrace the new.
Change is emotional. Focusing on what you will gain in the change will help you let go of the old way of doing things. Your status quo has served its purpose!! It is time to progress to the unknown, which promises the endless possibilities of all you will become and the impact you will make. Let go and leap to greatness!
Lesson 4: There is strength in seeking help on your journey.
Change allows you to work smarter not harder. Identifying your support system and leaning on them for tangible activities during your transition is a sure sign of strength. Change helps you become vulnerable. The power that comes from not tackling it alone is AMAZING, FREEING, and places you where you should be. Arriving at the renewal stage of transition and finally embracing your change will validate the strength, confidence and conviction that you have always had.
Lesson 5: Nothing changes if your status quo remains the same.
Change is progress. One thing that is constant is change, and she will pack her bags and leave you standing on the sideline of status quo. You are not here for that! To learn, to progress, to grow and to thrive means that you will grab your to-go bag full of breadcrumbs, disrupt the norm, embrace change, and leave lessons along your path to successful change!
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Lolita E. Walker is the founder of Walker & Walker Enterprises. She is a mother, process improvement specialist and change management expert. She is the change management consultant who will partner with you, personally stepping through how to free your mind, manage your transitions, and embrace your change through acceptance and renewal. Her change management program results in self-discovery of the strengths that will drive your success, coaching that translates into increased communications with those depending on you, and a sustainable change map that drives clarity, confidence, ownership and action. Learn more about her program by visiting https://www.lolitawalker.com
What can I do with this big ball of change?
Change is coming like a bowling ball down the lane. Ahhhh, what next?
Is there a ball of change coming at you from every direction?
Have you asked yourself what to do with it?
Well...I say GRAB HOLD & ROLL WITH IT!!!! And here is why!
No matter how you twist and turn it, roll it or throw it, Change is here to stay. It can happen very quickly and is unfortunately, not within our control. It is scary, takes us to a world of the unknown and shifts the normalcy of our lives. Focusing on the pieces within our control will aid us in a smoother transition to embracing the change. But what is change??
Google defines it as:
My perspective is that change is any scenario that differs from your status quo. My take on grabbing that ball of change and using it to bowl that perfect strike, is intertwined within my Change Poem below.
Change is this uncomfortable new thing some say I should quickly embrace
Holding court in my head, trying to maneuver in this space
Asking questions on why or how I can bring back the old way
Now accepting that my soon-to-be, new friend “change”, is here to stay
Gradually realizing I am in only the 1st of a 3-transitioned phase
Emotional and uncomfortable, I am ready to transition within this change maze!
LET'S GO!!!
Here are 10 tips to help you transition through change successfully.
1. Acknowledge that there is a change. There is power in verbalizing the shift.
2. Allow yourself time to transition to acceptance. It is ok! Letting go of the old is an adjustment. Settling into the new is not instantaneous.
3. Listen intently and communicate openly about how this new change affects you, as well as others who depend on you.
4. Identify what your fears are, as related to the change. Think through how these are triggered and create a quick recovery strategy when the fear becomes present.
5. Determine who you will lean on for support and why. Expect the relationship to constructively help you thrive within your change.
6. Declare an accountability partner. This person is beyond a friend. This person will tell you the truths you may not want to hear, alert you when you are stuck and hold you hostage to the commitments that you make on your change journey.
7. Link your personal goals to the change goals and stay focused. Focusing on your “change win” will bring you a sense of calm.
8. Create an end state goal, post it where you have daily visibility, and then break it into manageable pieces. Create a plan for what you will have accomplished in buckets of 3-months, 1-month, 2-weeks and daily. Each plan should link to your already-declared end goal.
9. Realize that the change is not going away. Let’s make it work for you!
10. Pause for Rewards!!! You are making strides towards embracing your change! Celebrate!
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Lolita E. Walker is the founder of Walker & Walker Enterprises. She is a mother, process improvement specialist and change management expert. She is the change management consultant who will partner with you, personally stepping through how to free your mind, manage your transitions, and embrace your change through acceptance and renewal. Her change management program results in self-discovery of the strengths that will drive your success, coaching that translates into increased communications with those depending on you, and a sustainable change map that drives clarity, confidence, ownership and action. Learn more about her program by visiting https://www.lolitawalker.com
Children Experience Change & Transition Too!
Our children transition through change as well. How can we help them along their own journey?
Our children are seated at the front of the roller coaster ride to change.
As my son transitioned from pre-school to kindergarten, his normal was shifted. He was leaving his friends, teachers and routines after 3 years. Though graduating to something bigger, he vocalized that he was not ready to be a big boy in elementary school. He simply wanted to stay in the place he had known for years. In many circumstances, we expect children to readily adapt and move on. But think about it...nearly everything from their little eyes is new. Daily, they learn unfamiliar concepts and discover new things. Imagine the feelings of confusion, stress, and frustration from a child, whose brain is not yet fully developed.
Temper tantrums, whining, sad faces and more, their expressions and emotions are displayed in varying ways. From the moment they wake, to the moment they rest, your child has experienced both change and transition. A new toothpaste flavor, a substitute teacher, making a new friend, trying a new food, and learning a new concept, are only snapshots of what they may face in one day. Can you imagine having no control over your schedule and no gadget to remind you of what is upcoming? This is their world, and they rely on trusting adults to guide them, on the mountain that seems harder to climb with each step!
Whether the change is a family death, new school, or new sibling, here are a few things to consider as you help them transition on their change journeys:
Acknowledge that everything is OK
A safe space helps ease anxiousness. Consider using examples to verbalize that you recognize things are different. Ask what has changed from their perspective. Have them draw a photo of how they are feeling and what it looks like when everything is ok. Try to remind them that you are there to talk about anything, and reassure them that everything will be ok.
Establish a routine and allow for decision making
Our children are creatures of habit who thrive on consistency. Adding a bit of autonomy allows your little person feel like a big kid in the moment.
Create a routine they can look forward to and offer them choices where available. Perhaps your child does homework while you cook, then takes a walk, plays a game, reads a book, and off to bed. Allow them to choose which direction to go for today’s walk, what game to play, which book to read, or which fruit or dessert option to have with dinner.
Ask for a helper
Nothing makes your child feel more empowered than helping with a grown-up task! Ask them to gather the ingredients for dinner, help set the table, stir the veggies, pick out a shirt for school, feed the pet, or carry a bag of groceries.
Create family time
While technology and tv-free, give your child uninterrupted time. Consider placing cell phones and tablets in a basket before dinner and engage in talk-time to learn of everyone's day. Perhaps a weekly family meeting will offer a forum for your child to express what they love, what makes them sad and anything they may want to alter within their routines.
Introduce change with a twist of fun
Everyone loves a little fun. Consider giving a warning that your timer is set to leave the playground in 10 minutes. On the way home, play a round of I-Spy. Create fun names for new foods like cool-cauliflower, jiggly-jello, momma’s-meatballs or superhero-salad. Tell a story about how much fun it was to try the newest thing you did just the other day and ask if they would like to try it with you on Saturday. Remember, however, that whatever promise you make for Saturday, you must keep.
Smile, Compliment and Have Fun!
Give positive feedback for something they have done well or for a great idea.. Have fun!!!! They are your little people and are getting older by the second. Cherish the moments and enjoy the ride!!
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Lolita E. Walker is the founder of Walker & Walker Enterprises. She is a mother, process improvement specialist and change management expert. She is the change management consultant who focuses on empowering women to truly embrace, act, and thrive in the newness of change - whatever that may be. She who will partner with you, personally stepping through how to free your mind, manage your transitions, and embrace your change through acceptance and renewal. Her change management program results in self-discovery of the strengths that will drive your success, coaching that translates into increased communications with those depending on you, and a sustainable change map that drives clarity, confidence, ownership and action. Learn more about her program by visiting https://www.lolitawalker.com
The Change from Employee to Entrepreneur
From employer to entrepreneur! Whew, what a change it is.
What changed? EVERYTHING that was normal for almost half of my life! WOW!
As I awoke the day after I left the company - my home-away-from-home for over a decade, I had dreams of relaxing the entire summer - doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! I was looking forward to my mini retirement before fully embracing my new change! For nothing more than...I deserved it!! But who was I really fooling? I am an engineer by trade, a manager of people for over 15 years and live for creating a process, seeing it come to fruition and witnessing people improve as a result of it. Nevertheless, it had not yet dawned on me that, like every other change in my life, there was a process to fully embrace my new normal. Despite the freedom I felt when leaving and the desire to scream it from the mountaintops, there were deeper emotions that were stirring. The feelings of no control, anxiousness and bit of sadness were present. I had to remind myself that yes I am independent, yes I am happy to be free of the mounting dislikes I had come to notice, yes I was happy to spend more time with my son....but yes, there were also transitional feelings that were real!
I knew it, lived it and coached it, so of course the feelings were normal in a state of transition! Though true, I had not yet accepted that this change was permanent. I did not have a game plan beyond "do nothing." I had definitely not let go of my vested emotions, commitment and years of service that were tied to my previous employer. I found myself in Phase 1 of my Transition: The Ending. As William Bridges said in the 1991, you must accept that something is ending before you can accept that something new is beginning.
Leaping from everything I had known for over 17 years, (including a steady paycheck) I stood staring at myself in the mirror when I finally crawled out of bed. Would my normal of Sunday meal preps to tackle the week of swim, karate, and bedtime routines remain the same? What would I do without jumping on a conference call on the way to work? or getting so much done, yet nothing on the to-do list? My normal was shaken at its core! It was up to me to create a plan, lean on my support system and move forward to my new normal--- my renewed reality of entrepreneurship!
If you have made this leap of faith into your passion, gift and talent, then you can relate! Change is not easy, but what we do know, is that once transitioned, we may get a momentary breather, but another bout of change is rounding the corner! This is important to check yourself on so that you do not remain in that first phase too long!
The great news is that if you are planning your exit strategy while still gainfully employed, you have time to do a good amount of preparation, saving and networking. If the change was unexpected, the first thing to do is to acknowledge that the change is real, then take a few moments to pause, reflect and craft a game-plan.
A few things to remember if, and when you take the leap: Prepare, Plan & Pamper.
Prepare
Maintain your strong network! Move phone numbers to your personal phone and email.
Draft a note of thanks for when you say good-bye.
Connect with those who have taken the same path and learn as much as you can from them on what pitfalls they encountered.
Reconnect yourself with you strengths. Ask those around you for two strengths and 1 opportunity area. Remember to ask them for examples so that you have a bit of context.
Touch base with you financial planner to get a clear trigger date for when you must resume collecting a paycheck.
Embrace the notion that you are taking a leap! A leap on faith and your skills to hold you up as you follow your passion.
Plan
Research local assistance for the field you plan to pursue. There are a great number of resources available including the Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Association, your affiliation groups such as professional, minority, community, etc.
Declare a goal and assign yourself actions to achieve your goal.
Be specific: What, when, who will support you and how.
Set plans: Quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily. Always start broad, yet clear and narrow down to achievable nuggets.
Find an accountability partner. Not simply a friend. You are seeking someone who is responsible, honest, has your best interest in mind. You need someone who cuts to the chase without worrying about your feelings. You want someone who can hold you accountable despite the excuses you will make every now and again!
Pamper
You deserve it!
Reflect on what you doing when you are at your best? When you are smiling and in a free and clear place? Then Do It! Whether it is sitting on your deck, going to a bed and breakfast, getting a massage, going on a date night, having a solo night out on the town, or simply taking a walk - get it on the calendar NOW.
At the end of the day, the change from employee to entrepreneur is different for everyone who is brave enough to make the shift. I applaud you and wish you the best in your endeavors!! There will be twists and turns, but you got this!!!! Take a deep breath and leap! You are jumping by faith for a gift that you are passionate about. You are armed with your skills, your personality, your years of experience and your support system. Prepare what you can, learn as you go, and have fun in the process. Change is never easy! AND if you are looking for a partner to help you navigate your transition, Call Me!
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Lolita E. Walker is the founder of Walker & Walker Enterprises. She is a mother, process improvement specialist and change management expert. She is the change management coach and consultant who will partner with you, personally stepping through how to free your mind, manage your transitions, and embrace your change through acceptance and renewal. Her change and coaching program results in self-discovery of the strengths that will drive your success, coaching that translates into increased communications with those depending on you, and a sustainable change map that drives clarity, confidence, ownership and action. Learn more about her program by visiting https://www.lolitawalker.com