{"id":98687,"date":"2023-04-05T16:27:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T20:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=98687"},"modified":"2023-04-17T11:26:07","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T15:26:07","slug":"adapting-to-change-in-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/adapting-to-change-in-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Adapting to Change in Business: 3 Ways to Be Prepared"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why is it so hard to adapt to change<\/a> in business? What are the key strategies to successfully leading a company that is going through a transition?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people oppose change in businesses, but often it’s inevitable. To prepare for this, Mark Divine’s book The Way of the SEAL<\/em> says you need to embrace change<\/a> and be open to adapting to it so that your team is ready for anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at how adapting to change in business<\/a> impacts your role as a leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Embrace and Adapt to Change<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Divine says that to successfully lead in a VUCA world (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous), business leaders must stay one step ahead of their competitors. Adapting to change<\/a> in business is the best way to do this, along with being confident and letting go of things that don’t work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: In addition to the VUCA element defining the work world, experts say that the landscape that business leaders currently confront is undergoing three-dimensional change<\/a>. In other words, it\u2019s occurring: 1) all the time, 2) in multiple areas of life, and 3) exponentially. So, change that used to occur over years and decades now happens in weeks or days.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act Quickly and Proactively to Change<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Divine says that to thrive as a leader in an ever-evolving landscape, you have to be proactive<\/a>, not reactive, to be aware of developments on the horizon that could compromise or enhance your work. To do this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act quickly and decisively<\/strong>. When you act fast in the face of change, you don\u2019t get hung up on things that aren\u2019t working. This also allows you and your team to identify and take advantage of cutting-edge opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To act quickly and decisively, foster trust with your team and set up standard operating procedures. Building trust<\/a> encourages healthy risk-taking, problem-solving, and innovation<\/strong>. Standardizing routine parts of work life\u2014like office communication protocols<\/a> and regular planning meetings\u2015streamlines operations so your team can act fast and confidently tackle new challenges as they arise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Ironically, some say that the way to speed up and improve your actions is to slow down. In Blink<\/em><\/a>, Malcolm Gladwell argues that you can hasten and strengthen your instinctive decision-making<\/a> by slowing down and training your unconscious mind deliberately<\/a>\u2014because even snap judgments take time. To do this, practice reading people\u2019s micro facial expressions, which occur in a fraction of a second and show what a person really thinks and feels. This allows you to gather intel then make more precise snap judgments about their personality and how they\u2019re likely to act. The more you attune yourself to split-second expressions, the better and faster you can read people<\/a> and make accurate decisions.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Be on the lookout for threats and opportunities. <\/strong>When you\u2019re perpetually attuned to what\u2019s going on around you, you\u2019re less likely to get caught off guard, more aware of opportunities you can take advantage of, and better prepared to predict your competition\u2019s next move\u2014which will help you stay ahead of them and lead successfully. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: In The 10X Rule<\/em><\/a>, Grant Cardone argues that to stay ahead of and beat your rivals you should focus on dominating<\/em>, not just competing against them<\/a>. When you\u2019re in a merely competitive mindset<\/a>, you can waste time observing your rivals and trying to compete at their level. But when you focus on identifying things your rivals can\u2019t or won\u2019t do and outworking them, you can dominate them and win.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To practice attuning yourself to your surroundings,<\/strong> consistently pay attention to what\u2019s going on around you when you\u2019re in public spaces<\/strong>. For example, when you\u2019re at the grocery store, scan the room and take note of things that seem out of the ordinary. Are most people moving quickly or slowly? Does anyone stand out for rushing? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Divine recommends that you regularly practice this skill in every space until this heightened state of awareness becomes part of you, then apply it to your business. For example, look at the market around you: Are your competitors doing things differently from normal? Can their actions negatively impact your work or open opportunities for a new path forward? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Being attuned to your surroundings is a good strategy<\/a> to help you adapt quickly. But be mindful of ways that internal biases can lead you to identify things that \u201cstand out\u201d that shouldn\u2019t<\/strong>. America\u2019s post-9\/11, \u201cSee something, say something\u201d call to action contributed to hyper-surveillance of Black and brown communities based on suspicions and fears<\/a>\u2014with no meaningful reduction in crime. As a result, the Black Lives Matter movement transformed the phrase to call on communities to look out for one another instead of trying to help police by reporting their neighbors based on ill-formed suspicions.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Be Confident by Changing Your Language<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Divine says that building your confidence will help you more effectively navigate a rapidly changing work world and be a stronger, more successful leader. To do this, regularly pay attention to your language and choose positive, active words<\/strong> instead of words that conjure up images and feelings of weakness and uncertainty\u2014which undermines your confidence and others\u2019 confidence in you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, don\u2019t say you\u2019ll \u201ctry\u201d to do something, which conveys doubt. Instead, say that you\u2019ll \u201cdefinitely achieve results.\u201d This instills confidence that you\u2019ll succeed. Practice this regularly to build sustained feelings of confidence and inspire others\u2019 confidence in you. (Shortform note: In The Confidence Code<\/em><\/a>, Katty Kay and Claire Shipman argue that confidence results from biological and <\/em>environmental factors, and that 50% of it may result from choice and will<\/a>, like Divine\u2019s advice to choose empowering words. To build confidence<\/a>, Kay and Shipman advise focusing on how your actions will benefit others instead of focusing on yourself; also, take credit for your accomplishments instead of downplaying them.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Let Go of What Doesn\u2019t Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Divine says that in a VUCA work world, leaders can\u2019t waste time on outdated ideas, plans, or products and services. The moment you realize a plan isn\u2019t working, take a calculated risk and shift to a different plan\u2014even if it\u2019s not fully formulated<\/strong>. If your plan fails, view that failure as a chance to learn. Then, wipe the slate clean early and often to build confidence in your ability to meet new challenges, move forward and innovate more quickly, and outwit competitors who fail to do the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: In Factfulness<\/em><\/a>, Hans Rosling counters that you should get all the facts before you act<\/a>, because your sense of urgency is often alarmist and can lead you to make panicked decisions that do more harm than good. We often lean into impulsive decisions because salespeople and activists actively exploit our urgency instinct. As a result, we fear we\u2019ll miss out on opportunities if we don\u2019t act fast. In most cases, however, you have to carefully analyze all the information in front of you to ensure a good outcome.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get comfortable shifting gears without a perfect plan:<\/p>\n\n\n\n