No matter which way you turn, change is on the agenda.

And, frankly, it should be.

Change is the way forward. It’s how you grow, innovate, and improve.

If you’re not changing, you’re standing still. And for any business, you don’t want to be standing still.

We’re at the beginning of a new year and that means a lot is happening, especially at work. Excitement and anticipation are high as fresh budgets give life to new initiatives.

People are mobilizing, planning and getting ready to activate their new critical projects.

But one person’s excitement is another one’s stress.

• I hope no one adds work to my plate
• I’m overloaded and overwhelmed
• I don’t have time for anything else
• The timing couldn’t be worse
• Why are we doing this?

It has become normal for change to be everywhere and seemingly all the time. There’s no shortage of strategic planning, budget review and prioritization meetings. If your idea is above the cut line, you’re feeling optimistic and can’t wait until everyone else is excited like you!

You know what else is normal?

NOT EVERYONE being optimistic or excited, let alone as much as you.

So as you start the new year and you’re pumped about the new initiatives that you’re bringing forward, be mindful that every change, good or bad, planned or unexpected, will have supporters and resistors.

And it will feel personal for them. Each person has a unique perspective, because their life and everything in it, is unique to them.

What can you do, as a leader or even as an individual contributor, to make change happen in 2024?

It’s pretty simple – pay attention, listen, and act with empathy. Be aware that others may not see or feel what you do, and give a sh*t about helping them, with extra support, information, or time to get there.

These aren’t just ‘one and done’ things so do them while you execute (execution is still critical). Because if your change doesn’t succeed, the value of your idea will never be realized. And that would be the real shame.

You’re not alone. Many others are in this very situation right now. You can do it.

It’s change o’clock everywhere.

Have a great week!

“It’s easy to imagine that things are going to calm down, that there’s a neutral position coming up, and that it’s all going to go back to normal. But the swirl is normal. It’s always been this way. Changing. There is no “ever after.” There’s just the chaos of now.”

Seth Godin