This past year has brought change to everyone’s lives that no one could have expected. While it’s smart to look at the good things and appreciate them for what they are, knowing how to deal with goodbyes and changes at work and in life is the most important tool you can have when looking towards moving forward.
Saying Goodbye
This past year has been filled to the brim with changes. And leaving a job, be it for a better job or due to the unforeseen circumstances of the year, only adds to the chaos we’ve all endured. In situations like this, one of the best pieces of advice anyone has given me is to stay open to change. You never know what the world has planned for you! Great things can come from bad situations and even though it feels unbearable in the moment, there is a lot to learn from hard times.
No matter how much we dislike change, coworkers leaving for different jobs is a normal part of being in the work force. Yet, it can still be hard to move forward. There’s a trend in navigating the learning curve or how to operate in the absence of our coworkers when people move on. Never be afraid to take charge of the situation you’re in or ask for clarity.
Tips and Tricks for Coping at Work
- Stay In Contact: Staying in contact is something that is important to a work environment even if the departure wasn’t as well planned as we might like it. A contact is a contact, and as long as you are confident in the relationship and the work that was put in during shared time together, it is always worth keeping. It’s true, oftentimes it’s more about who you know than what you know. Having someone who can vouch for your work, no matter what they’re doing or the hierarchy of their position compared to your own, could be a doorway for you, someday. We are proud to say that a lot of our former employees keep up with us on our Facebook page or our LinkedIn!
- Communicate Well: In the midst of transitioning, it is the responsibility of everyone to communicate any concerns or even ideas. If things are going to be changing, don’t be afraid to throw out suggestions! If something is worrying you, mention it! The more points of view that can be taken into consideration, the better. Maybe you could start a large-scale visual for your department by making an ongoing list on a dry erase board?
- Outline All Changes: I suggest making a list of responsibilities that might be changing hands or that may have reason for concern. Go down the list with your team or coworkers and start clearly assign projects and tasks to new people. If it’s just a matter of training the new person, at the very least they know what they need to learn. Have you ever started a tabbed binder for every job role including notes? Knowing who needs to take care of what and when can be uncomfortable, but knowledge is guaranteed to reduce the tension surrounding those responsibilities.
- Make Realistic Goals: This tip requires that you know, realistically, what kind of time you have to be productive at work and what that time is filled with. That you don’t take on more than you can chew or that someone who would be better suited for a job isn’t looked over. This prevents any one person from dropping the ball and causing a panic at work. If something is turning out to be too much for you, ask for help! Asking for help will always be received better than a project being late or done incorrectly.
- Be Open and Honest: Depending on your work environment, this can be the hardest tip to follow. Being open and honest about things that are going on at work in an environment where your voice won’t be heard can be discouraging. Just remember that the squeaky wheel gets the oil. The more a concern is brought up the more seriously others will receive it. Think about the things that need to be said; try to keep things professional and not personal, and always be respectful. If you put your best self forward in addition to your concerns, there really isn’t a valid reason for you to not be heard.
Extras!
For more FriendsOffice tips and tricks to cope with change through a positive attitude, checkout our blog post “Keeping the Good Vibes.”