First, let’s talk about the facts: technology is changing the way we work, deliver services and engage with each other. Healthcare is undergoing this change at an exponential speed, but one statement in healthcare still holds - ultimately, healthcare is still people taking care of people!
Change is a word that can cause many uncomfortable feelings for a lot of people. When thinking about change and what it means, we are faced with the feeling of uncertainty. Often we may overhear conversations of “why can't we leave things as they are” since “they are working just fine”.
I want to share with you a bit of my life’s journey, which is defined by constant change. My life changed dramatically when I was seven and it hasn’t stopped since. Living in a war-torn region, my family was forced to leave our home and embark on the journey of change. The alternative was losing our lives, so that made the decision pretty easy.
We moved in the matter of the next six years to four different countries. Four different languages, four different cultures; our family was challenged to change our way of living four different times within six years. We moved from city to city, in accommodations from the car, refugee camps to apartments, until eventually, we landed in Nashville, TN which, now I proudly choose to call my hometown.
These changing events, seemed dark, horrific and, frankly speaking, very sad to my seven-year-old mind; really, they were difficult for all of us. But in hindsight, I can see them for what they were: opportunities in disguise. They formed us as individuals; personally, these changes enabled me to learn three other languages, they opened my eyes to other cultures, they allowed me to form strong friendships I would otherwise have never had the opportunity to form, due to these situations I experienced countless learning along the way. Without these circumstances, much of my life today would’ve never been possible. I am sure that I would be a different person than I am today.
We all have a love/hate relationship with change. We may love the idea of it and the benefits it brings. But we may very much dislike the process of it. The process of change brings stress, doubt, discomfort, and unforeseen challenges. We don’t like that. We want smooth transitions, predictability, easiness, etc. Right?
The future of work is a fancy phrase that means “there is a lot of change happening in how we perceive work,” so buckle your seat-belts as we all are about to hit warp 5. See, just like in my own life’s experience, change will also bring an exponential opportunity to see and explore new horizons.
The digital transformation is causing an ever-rapid change in organizations. The workplace paradigm shift is real. Technical skills that we learn are becoming obsolete within a few years. All of this is apparent in organizations across industries. In healthcare, it is especially transforming care delivery and operating models.
What can you do to make this change meaningful? I shared my own story because I want to encourage you - the discomfort of the unknown is part of the change process, which we all may dislike to some degree. But I encourage you to embrace it. What the change also brings is the potential for new relationships, new skills, new ideas and opportunities. Change expands our minds.
5 lessons from my personal experiences that shaped me on dealing with change when leading and collaborating with teams.
1. Always keep a positive attitude and an open mind!
It is human nature to feel uneasy and potentially pessimistic when we are exposed to constant change around us. But staying positive is key to overcoming and embracing the new environment. Keeping an open mind helps us see the good things that change holds, which go far beyond the immediate conditions in which we find ourselves. A positive approach to change is a way to get a meaningful outcome from a difficult experience.
2. Embrace the unknown and learn along the way.
Say to yourself that “it is ok to not know everything”. Make it a norm to explore, learn, and embrace the opportunities that the unknown brings. Olympics Gold medal winner, Carl Lewis, says “It’s all about the journey not the outcome.” I hope that encourages you as it does me. The journey of change is worth it.
3. Be flexible and open to changing direction to support business needs.
It is important to be ready, and allow yourself to shift direction so that you meet the needs of your customers. As leaders, whether it is HR, technology, operations, etc. we are responsible for preparing our teams to meet our customers’ ever-changing needs; flexibility is a key component of that!
4. Be willing to form new relationships, embrace diversity in all dimensions, and continue to see the best in all people.
It used to be that we would work with the people that were living in our immediate proximity, who may have looked, spoken and liked the same things as us. With technology, we are suddenly working with people and teams across a wide spectrum of habits, beliefs, appearance and geographical locations. The beauty of globalization is in the opportunity that it brings for learning; the blessing of diversity is in the willingness to form new relationships.
5. Understand the purpose of change within your workplace.
Foremost, all change must have a purpose. As leaders and team members in the healthcare industry, we must find that purpose to this constant change. Embrace it, find a purpose for it, then embrace that too.
The great news is that the future of work truly can be a remarkable thing as long as we run towards it and not from it. As we embark on a new decade, I hope you will find these 5 lessons useful in all of your interactions, whether work-related or personal.
About the author:
Alen Brcic is the Director of HR Technology at Novant Health, responsible for the digitization of the people business.