Your Business Restructure doesn't have to suck

My new job role requires me to travel a lot. I cannot complain really, as this is the best way to meet new people & corporate cultures.

After a couple of thousand air & driving miles, intensive meetings & fruitful discussions I can confidently say the below:

For the corporate world, Business Re-structure is equivalent of a decease.

It doesn't have to be this way (or be a Drama queen about it). All Corporate organizations tend to restructure their business tactically having in mind how to become more efficient, however they lose their path along the way as they tend to create:

- Internal Frustration ("What is the Management team trying to tell us with this or that"?)

- External Confusion ("Where is this business partner trying to go with this change"?)

- Blackout: Happens when both Internal Frustration & External Confusion are intensively present at the same time.

AVOIDING THE HORROR

Even if the high management does everything right (Communication / Execution / Clear Purpose), it is inevitable that the majority of the employees will find themselves feeling:

• Fear of personal failure within a new structure: "It will never work out for me, I won't be able to do it."
• Preferring the familiar, old routine: "The old way was much better, we knew what we were doing before."
• Denial of the reasons for change: "Why did we have to do this anyway, I can't see how this will improve anything."
• Unwillingness to learn new systems and processes: "I already know everything I need to know to do my job, nothing new can help me."
• Fear of the unknown: "I don't know what it will be like for any of us, but I know we will all be worse off."

If you are thinking this way, the awful truth is that no-one else is doing harm to yourself than you. On the contrary, let's see how things can work for you on the positive way during a Business Restructure.

1) Maintain and demonstrate a positive outlook, regardless of all the stress, defensiveness and negativity. 

2) Encourage, motivate and thank your colleagues for the work they do, with and for you. You don't have to be a manager to embrace the contribution made by everyone within the organisation. This will make you feel good, and lift the spirits and mood of your colleagues.

3) Separate your own feelings from the feelings of others so that you don't get absorbed by other people's stresses & toxic behaviour. Talk to someone & share your thoughts with someone, who is not connected to your organisation. You will be surprised to see how much of a good advice you can get from someone who has emotional separation from your working environment ;)

NOW OWN THE GAME

First, develop a plan for yourself. 

Ensure you know what you want to do, where you want to get to within the organisation and by when. Discuss and declare your plan to a supportive person, usually outside of work, to get feedback and support with monitoring your progress. Be firm when it is time to communicate this plan to your manager. Nothing is given in this life for free & if you don't ask the answer will always be "No".

Next, become indispensable within the organisation. 

Volunteer to do practical and noticeable activities, which will support the impression of you as a helpful professional regardless of the circumstances.  Take some of the pressure off senior managers by volunteering to do tasks that can add value to the company. Provide bottom up initiatives & ask to be involved in cross functional projects. Follow Up again & again and demonstrate that you are in control.

Have confidence in the process.