Give Change a Chance
People Can Change…Can’t They?
Members of my change management seminar audiences often ask how to know the difference between when you should change…and when you should continue doing things the way you’ve been doing them. One answer is to create a circle of advisers for yourself-people whom you trust and with whom you can double-check your thinking.
I am also a firm believer in brief counseling or change consulting. You’re NOT crazy if you hire a neutral (outside your work/family) consultant, such as a communications psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor or social worker, to be part of your inner circle of advisers. In fact, you would be sane and smart. People need advice from experts in change and changing behavior.
Ask three people who aren’t afraid to give you blunt, accurate, timely feedback. You want to be surrounded by people who are interested in your changes, not in keeping things the way they’ve always been.
Another step you can take is to begin to value your relationships more. Friendship and romance are powerful ways to promote positive change. And lastly, you can take advantage of the self-help groups or blogs that are available on the internet.
