Continue to do your work
I’ve coached many clients through reorganisations, downsizing and change management. The process is no fun. Regardless of how you feel, resist the temptation to just sit and bemoan your lot. Be proactive as opposed to reactive. It’s easy to develop a knee jerk attitude, because you don’t know if your work is going to continue. And whether or not your job is going to mean anything to anyone tomorrow or even exist next week.
Still, you are being paid to work, so try to do so. Furthermore, willingness to see the best outcomes could impress any future bosses.
Think +ve
Act like Pollyanna - keep a positive attitude and be a good finder. It can help you deal with the uncertainties of change. For example, instead of worrying about changes you will have to make, focus instead on how you can leverage your existing skills and experience; looking for opportunities in the new organisation. Become involved, it will hasten your adjustment.
Network maintenance
Your network of contacts, both inside and outside your company, can serve a valuable function. Your contacts can share with you their own experiences of change and tell you of job opportunities. Most importantly, they can be a sounding board for your ideas and share with you their emotions about change.
Build your network by keeping in touch with school and college/university friends, former colleagues, bosses, and people who have worked for you. Meet colleagues at conferences, conventions and events both off and on-line. Use LinkedIn and other powerful social networking sites.
See the big picture
Change can be frightening, and disruptive. However, with the right attitude and actions, you can find opportunities in that change.
I know many people who ultimately think that redundancy was a positive career move.
Comments
Redundancy is always a bitter blow, but for many the impact has more serious consequences. Tackling the’ snake-bite syndrome’ (SBS) is crucial, but many don’t even realise what’s happening to them. Business Coach, Debbie Catt likens the shock of redundancy to that of being bitten by a highly venomous snake. “After the initial shock – the paralysis sets in” says Debbie, “and if it’s not recognised and dealt with, the effects can leave permanent damage to individuals and whole families.
“It’s hard enough to overcome the initial shock and trauma of being made redundant” added Debbie, “Most people think it’s just a case of dusting off your CV, practising your interview techniques and buying a new suit”. But those who suffer from SBS are often treated as if they are lazy, stupid or both – especially by those closest to them who just don’t understand their situation. It can be totally debilitating, even creating a type of agoraphobia where the victim can’t even pick up the phone or venture out to seek help. This causes conflict when those looking on get impatient and angry with the perceived lack of motivation.
“Telling someone in this condition to pull themselves together and get back on the job trail is like telling someone who is suffering from Clinical Depression to ‘cheer up’”.
And the redundancy situation is getting worse - latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the redundancy level was up to 301,000 for the three months to May 2009 – that’s up 31,000 over the quarter and up 182,000 over the year.
To make things even worse, there were only 429,000 job vacancies in the three months to June 2009 - the lowest figure since comparable records began. This number of vacancies is down 35,000 over the previous quarter and down 222,000 over the year.
“In the current difficult economic climate, you've really got to be on top form to get one of the dwindling number of jobs”, continued Debbie. “So recognising that you or someone close to you needs more than a ‘pep talk’ is a major step in helping fight back from redundancy”.
24-Aug-2009 10:33 AM