Bonus Episode 65: A Guide for Preparing for Unpredictable Change in the Workplace

Send us a text

Facing an unpredictable change at work can be daunting, can't it? Especially when it's a major shift like mass layoffs, new leadership, or a different company strategy. As finance and accounting professionals, we are not immune to these whirlwinds of change. So, how do we adapt? Fear not, for this bonus episode of the Finance Leader Podcast is here to guide you, offering a process to make wise and calculated decisions when faced with significant changes.

Adapting to change process:

Accept that nothing stays the same,
Have your tools ready,
Continue to produce great work,
Do the analysis and make a well-thought-out decision on how you face the change, and
Commit to your decision without regret.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy: financeleaderacademy.com.

On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

Transcript

WEBVTT

00:00:00.341 --> 00:00:03.088
Hi, this is Stephen McLain of the Finance Leader Podcast.

00:00:03.088 --> 00:00:06.006
This is bonus episode number 65.

00:00:06.006 --> 00:00:07.730
Good day to everyone.

00:00:07.730 --> 00:00:09.566
I hope your week is going well.

00:00:10.259 --> 00:00:19.489
I'm doing another quick check-in and wanted to ask how do you react when you have to face an unknown situation at work or even in your life.

00:00:19.489 --> 00:00:38.167
At work, it could be a reaction to a change in the market which results in mass layoffs and thus a possible job loss, or even a change in strategy, or maybe a change in senior leadership, which means a likely change in culture.

00:00:38.167 --> 00:00:46.667
These are significant changes and you have to be ready to adapt and change along with it, or you have to move on.

00:00:46.667 --> 00:00:59.451
But what can you do to prepare yourself for eventual change and what should you do for a process to help make a more wise and calculated decision when faced with significant change?

00:00:59.451 --> 00:01:06.231
Adapting to change requires us to maintain our flexibility and to have an open mind.

00:01:06.231 --> 00:01:19.513
Our world is changing, technology is changing, the economy is changing, how we conduct business is changing, and we must have a mindset and outlook that prepares us for more flexibility.

00:01:19.513 --> 00:01:24.030
Have you ever found yourself facing a change that surprised you?

00:01:24.030 --> 00:01:26.266
It happens all the time.

00:01:26.266 --> 00:01:30.590
Our leadership will be more important than ever when facing change.

00:01:30.590 --> 00:01:37.572
Every time I speak or write or produce a podcast episode, I am advocating for better leadership.

00:01:37.572 --> 00:01:42.710
I want finance and accounting professionals like you to always be leaders.

00:01:42.710 --> 00:01:48.611
First, we must be ready to lead our teams through anxiety-wrenching change.

00:01:48.611 --> 00:01:55.784
We must be ready to offer critical advice to help our team members make a better decision for themselves.

00:01:55.784 --> 00:02:00.771
I want to cover a process to help you make a better assessment and decision.

00:02:00.771 --> 00:02:05.230
Keep these things in mind so you are ready for the change to come.

00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:09.229
Number one accept that nothing stays the same.

00:02:09.229 --> 00:02:11.224
Change will continuously happen.

00:02:11.224 --> 00:02:12.644
Be ready for it.

00:02:12.644 --> 00:02:16.389
Ready your mindset, your attitude and your acceptance.

00:02:16.389 --> 00:02:18.885
Focus on what you can control.

00:02:18.885 --> 00:02:30.562
You can control your reaction, your decision process, your commitment to what needs to be done and your obligation to do well at your tasks and assignments as you work through the situation.

00:02:30.562 --> 00:02:39.032
Number two have your tools ready your resume, an updated LinkedIn profile, your network and your references.

00:02:39.032 --> 00:02:41.126
You should update your resume every month.

00:02:41.126 --> 00:02:53.580
Keep your LinkedIn profile fresh as you update your resume and make contact or reach out to your key connections so you can activate them when you need to and be there for them too.

00:02:53.580 --> 00:02:56.948
Number three continue to produce great work.

00:02:56.948 --> 00:02:59.526
Stay steady in your responsibilities.

00:02:59.526 --> 00:03:06.323
Complete your tasks with excellence, as you always have, so no one has a reason to doubt your performance.

00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:13.331
Number four do the analysis and make a well thought out decision on how you face the change.

00:03:13.331 --> 00:03:15.586
Do you stay or move on?

00:03:15.586 --> 00:03:22.243
Is the situation so significant that you have to do something else instead of staying in your current role?

00:03:22.243 --> 00:03:30.585
Do the analysis, do some introspective thinking and evaluation on what matters most to you, then make a decision.

00:03:30.585 --> 00:03:39.449
Keep in mind that if the change requires layoffs, try to determine what your severance package will be and include that in your decision.

00:03:39.449 --> 00:03:45.882
And also don't forget that resigning your position may put you at risk for any unemployment benefits.

00:03:45.882 --> 00:03:48.306
So please check your local laws.

00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:52.329
And number five commit to your decision without regret.

00:03:52.329 --> 00:03:58.331
Whatever you decide to do, make sure you can execute that decision without doubt and without regret.

00:03:58.331 --> 00:04:00.847
Commit and move in that direction.

00:04:00.847 --> 00:04:02.884
You can't escape change.

00:04:02.884 --> 00:04:06.949
One day you will show up or log on to work and an announcement will be made.

00:04:06.949 --> 00:04:09.126
How will you handle it?

00:04:09.126 --> 00:04:10.522
What will you do?

00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:18.004
I want you to have a deliberate, well thought out, patient process that produces a plan that makes sense for you.

00:04:18.004 --> 00:04:22.470
I want to cover this topic in a full podcast episode in the future.

00:04:22.470 --> 00:04:28.646
Please also make sure you keep up with your goals for this year and get ready to start planning for 2024.

00:04:28.646 --> 00:04:31.747
I have started my planning for next year already.

00:04:31.747 --> 00:04:40.427
We need to keep focused on our most important long-term goal and the short-term goals that contribute to that long-term goal.

00:04:40.427 --> 00:04:42.425
What do you want to accomplish?

00:04:42.425 --> 00:04:47.088
Stay focused, document your progress and assess where you are at.

00:04:47.088 --> 00:04:49.867
So get ready for 2024.

00:04:49.867 --> 00:04:52.447
I hope you have a great rest of your week.

00:04:52.447 --> 00:05:00.326
Thank you for listening to the Finance Leader podcast and please visit financeleaderacademycom for more resources.

00:05:00.326 --> 00:05:02.031
Thank you, and take care.

Bonus Episode 65: A Guide for Preparing for Unpredictable Change in the Workplace

Listen On

Recent Episodes