Leading and Managing in Times of Change

June 30, 2010 | Heather Marasse & Elisa Maselli, GLG

“Change is the only constant.” “Change or die.” There are so many clichés, quotes, and articles on change that the very word itself can bring up a sense of profound weariness. Think about it. How do you feel when someone says, “We’re going to make some changes around here?” For many people, the first reaction will be some version of: “What’s wrong?”, “We messed up”, “Our work wasn’t up to par. We must have failed.” There is a very predictable human reaction we all have when we hear about impending change, even in those of us who are most eager to explore and implement the “new.” That reaction is based on a need for validation. The very prospect of the need for change implies an invalidation of the past.