How to Cope With Change and Diversity in the Workplace
In today's economy change is inevitable. Organizations are making changes whether they are downsizing or restructuring. Not only are changes being made, but companies are becoming more diverse in their employee selection. Being open to change and to diverse environments can be beneficial to you and as well as your organization. Organizations are putting new faces in key positions where they once were not considered acceptable. Companies today are no longer operating by the status quo and if you want to grow with your company, you should learn to adapt to this change.
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Instructions
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Change your beliefs regarding the changes that are happening in the workplace. Your old beliefs can limit your thinking if you allow them to. Instead of focusing on the negatives, try looking at the positive outcomes of change. Look for new opportunities and the possibilities the changes in the workplace can provide. Read "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson, M.D. In this parable about change in the workplace, the author illustrates how some people can adapt and how some will not adapt to change.
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Build relationships with the diverse people in your organization. Look for things you might have in common with others. You can learn more about their culture and understand their business practices. You may even want to implement some of their business practices as your own to help you become an effective employee.
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Ask management to bring in a consultant that specializes in corporate change. The consultant can speak with the employees about the changes being made in the organization and discuss the positive impact it can have on the company. The consultant can also provide other mechanisms that can be used to help employees handle change.
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Request an industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologist to come in to conduct a group session with the employees. Working in a group can be beneficial because it will help to foster a team environment. An I-O psychologist specializes in employee development through training. I-O psychologists provide training in organizational development such as cross-cultural and diversity issues, organizational structure, team building and workforce planning and many other areas within the organization that can be enhanced.
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Research other organizations that have made changes to the way they conduct business and learn how diversity plays a vital role in their company. Benchmark other organizations that have adapted to change and diversity in the workplace. Use these companies as a reference to implement a strategic plan for your organization that will promote the importance of diversity and change through employee training.
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