Elon Musk opens up on mental health and unrelenting stress

Elon Musk opens up on mental health and 'unrelenting stress' Elon Musk opens up on mental health and 'unrelenting stress' Elon Musk, a self-made billionaire and CEO of three companies, is a visionary leader who plans to colonize Mars,    stop the A.I. apocalypse, and make self-driving electric cars go mainstream in his lifetime. These are superhuman, daunting goals that Musk has never backed down from.But on Monday, he acknowledged that his uncompromising drive for success has come at a high cost to his mental health.When a person on Twitter asked about his “amazing life,” Musk replied honestly that what the public saw on social media wasn’t the whole story.When another Twitter user asked if these symptoms of “great highs, terrible lows and unrelenting stress” meant he had a mental health condition, Musk suggested he might.Bipolar disorder is a condition that’s characterized by extreme mood swings between the lows of depression and hopelessness and the highs of euphoria and mania. Musk later clarified that he wasn’t sure if this was the exact correct diagnosis, but that he struggled with d eep lows when “bad events” overtook his life.But it did not appear that Musk would be changing his ways of “getting carried away.” Musk said that this was the price he paid for buying a “ticket to hell,” suggesting that he knew the devil’s bargain of overcommitting to work.Musk’s advice to fellow founders dealing with his kind of unrelenting stress? “Take the pain” and endure it. Musk knew that there are “better answers” but he remains uncompromising in his solution.Musk knows he is shaping the future with his companies, Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink. He has previously said that leaving the Earth better than how he found it is what drives him. He has also acknowledged that he is haunted by his previous business failures, which include being ousted by PayPal, investing in bad ideas, and having his companies go on the brink of bankruptcy. That stress has clearly never left him.“I feel a bit like my grandmother. She lived through the Great Depression and some r eal hard times. Once you’ve been through that, it stays with you for a long time. I’m not sure it ever leaves really,” Musk said in a 2015 biography of his life.“So, I do feel joy now, but there’s still that nagging feeling that it might all go away. Even later in life when my grandmother knew there was really no possibility of her going hungry, she always had this thing about food. With Tesla, I decided to raise a huge amount of money just in case something terrible happens.”How to deal with ‘unrelenting stress’What may work for Musk now is untenable in the long-run for most people. Responding to Musk’s tweets, venture capitalist Fred Wilson said that “unrelenting stress” is the “life of an entrepreneur.” In Wilson’s opinion, managing that stress so it doesn’t “eat you up and mess up your relationships” meant “workouts, eating and drinking healthy, having a coach, and most of all, having a spouse who keeps it all in check.”Managing stress also begins with looking inwards at the causes. You learn to appreciate what you have and stop asking ‘what if?’. You learn to label and let go of bad feelings through meditation and mindfulness. By practicing these daily rituals, you can manage your anxiety and have the best of both worlds: success in your professional work and the peace of mind to enjoy it.

Alan Cummings secret to work success Smother people with kindness

Alan Cumming's secret to work success 'Smother people with kindness' Alan Cumming's secret to work success 'Smother people with kindness' Alan Cumming is one of those much-beloved stars who can do it all: sing, dance, act, and win a Tony. But for all the glamor, Cumming’s rise is instructive for anyone in an office: he knows the value of skill, a good attitude, wit and staying power.The Scotland native has done it all in the entertainment field over the course of three decades, starring in hit movies like “X-Men 2”, “Goldeneye” and “Spy Kids” as well as his Emmy-nominated turn in the hit CBS series “The Good Wife.”  He’s also a Broadway vet on legendary shows like “Macbeth” and “Cabaret,” the latter of which won him a Tony Award.With all of this cross-platform success, we looked to Cumming for thoughts on how we can grow our careers with such zest and positivity after so many years.  I recently chatted with Cumming briefly and we talked about why he can’t stand being bored, how kindness really is the best way to get through any situation, and above all, to always be yourself.  You’ve been able to have such longevity in your career and do so many different aspects of it so well.  Where does that drive come from?I have always been eclectic and had eclectic tastes.  I’ve been good at multitasking I suppose, and I get bored real easily.  So I always have a lot of things planned at once, and within that I’m just inspired by people and really enjoy life.  Just today, for instance, I left my house to go get my hair colored and there was a taxi right there.  And I thought, “How exciting is it that I live in a city where you can do that?”  I don’t ever think, “Oh god, I wonder when that cab is coming”, or something like that. It’s very exciting, so that sort of spirit I dig into my work as well.What has been the toughest hurdle in your career and how did you overcome it?There has been certain things or people that I have been like, “God, what a jerk you are”, or jerk-type experiences, and in those situations, I just smother people with kindness and love.  Even people I don’t like, because I think that is the best thing to do.  My mum said there is no situation in life that won’t go better for you with kindness.  My dimples help sometimes, but I really do think in anything in life I do it with respect and kindness. Also, even when people are being crazy and badly behaved and a mess, if you just say “What’s wrong?” instead of being scared or put off by them. Don’t let them dictate your own experience.What’s the biggest piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to have a successful career like yours, in any capacity?Just be yourself and have fun.  Don’t try and become a generic version of yourself - it’s as simple as that.

Riding Your Bike to Work

Riding Your Bike to Work Riding Your Bike to Work Whether you want to help make the world a greener place, or simply want the exercise, bicycle commuting is an appealing idea. Think about it: You start your day with a pleasant, leisurely bicycle ride to work. You arrive refreshed and energized. Youve gotten your daily dose of exercise, your blood is circulating, and now you can start your day. For some working mothers, bicycle commuting is a great option for these reasons. However, if the mere thought of pedaling all the way to work makes you tired, then bicycle commuting may not be for you. If youre wondering whether bicycle commuting is the right option, weigh the pros and cons. Pro: Bicycle Commuting Is Good Exercise Whether its two blocks or one mile each way, bicycle commuting allows for a good cardio workout as you travel to work. Con: You Get Sweaty Depending on the shape youre in and how long your commute is, a long bicycle commute may cause you to sweat to the point where you need another shower. Youll have to leave early to allow for time to freshen up before starting your workday. Pro: Bicycle Commuting Helps the Environment By not driving a car or riding a bus to work, youre helping the environment. Bicycle commuting doesnt contribute to the harmful emissions that pollute the air. By bicycle commuting to work youre making your contribution to a greener community. Con: Bicycle Commuting Restricts Your Work Wardrobe You cant wear your work wardrobe of a skirt and heels on your bicycle commute to work. In fact, youll need to bring a change of clothing, and that presents yet another issue: theres nowhere to hang a suit on your bicycle. Pro: Bicycle Commuting Allows You to Enjoy the Outdoors Whether its a breezy fall morning or a sunny spring day, bicycle commuting allows you to take advantage of being outdoors before having to be inside an office building all day. Bicycle riding to work allows you to enjoy the scenery, smells and sounds of your community. Con: You Can't Bicycle Commute in Inclement Weather When its snowing, raining or very cold your bicycle commuting needs to be put on hold. Even if its sunny in the morning, you may walk out of your building at the end of the day to pouring rain. Theres no guarantee the weather forecast wont change. Your commute home may not be as pleasant as it was in the morning. Pro: Bicycle Commuting Can Be a Social Experience If you choose to bicycle ride with a buddy, you can enjoy a friends company on the way to work, engage in socialization and share all the pluses of bicycle commuting with that person. Con: Bicycle Commuting May Involve Traveling Over Rough or Dangerous Terrain If your only route to work involves highways with no bike lane or narrow or bumpy roads, bicycle commuting can get dangerous. For this reason, its always good to map out alternate routes, especially those that include bicycle lanes. Also, be conscious of bicycle safety when riding in traffic.

How to Interview Your Future Boss

How to Interview Your Future Boss How to Interview Your Future Boss Interviewing someone is always a little tricky. What questions do you ask to hone in on who’s going to be perfect for the job? What are those rules on what you can and can’t ask a potential employee, again?But it’s a whole new ball game if the person you’re interviewing is vying for the top spot on your team. How exactly does one grill a potential boss?The unfortunate truth is, most of us never even get the chance to test out new management before they’ve been hired. And, when that rare opportunity does come along, many of us opt out- I know I have- because we feel we’re not in a position to question someone who might be managing us in the near future.The good news, however, is that you’ll have lots of bosses throughout your career, which means it’s never too late to start getting more involved in your supervisors’ hiring process. Here are a few ways you can integrate yourself and what to do once your (potential) future boss is sitting across the table from you, res ume in hand.1.  Ask to Be InvolvedAside from a few friends I have in the HR world, I can’t think of anyone who actually enjoys the interview process. That means, when it has to be done, those in charge of hiring will try to limit the interviews to only those they deem key decision makers. At a managerial level, that usually means people senior to the position- not necessarily those who will report to him or her.But, as a future direct report, not to mention someone who knows the department inside and out, you have valuable input, and it’s not at all unreasonable for you to ask to get involved.As soon as you discover the hiring process for your future boss has begun, let whoever is in charge know you’d like to meet with the top candidates, if appropriate. Now, this probably won’t happen during the preliminary interviews- it’s much more common for direct reports to meet with candidates toward the end of the process- so let the hiring manager determine when best to get you in volved. Just make it clear that you’d like to be.2.  Study the Resume  Remember how much time and effort you put into updating your current resume? Well, your prospective boss should’ve done the same, and you’ll definitely want to take a look at his or her handiwork.When reviewing senior-level resumes, pay attention to two key things: what candidates have highlighted as their greatest achievements and where they’ve spent most of their management career. How people see themselves and where they’ve “grown up” as managers will play a huge part in the type of manager they’ll be to you if they’re hired.If you have any areas of concern, jot them down and bring it up when you’re interviewing. For example, if you’re working at a startup, and you’re interviewing a candidate that spent most of her career as a mid-level manager at a giant corporation, ask her how she’ll adapt her management style to adjust to your company’s culture.Don’t be afraid to dig into your prospective boss’ background to better understand where he or she is coming from, because that will be a strong indication of what you can accomplish together if he or she gets the job.3.  Share Your ExpectationsOne of the biggest mistakes I’ve made when given the opportunity to interview my bosses before they were hired was not telling them what I expected of them.  We had great chats, discovered things we had in common, and learned a bit about one another, but I never explicitly expressed what I needed from them as my managers.So, when they finally started, they were under the impression they had a green light to get started with their own agenda and weren’t fully prepared to address the needs of the team outside of what was in their job description.My advice? If you have the opportunity to vet your future boss in an interview, take the time to jot down a wish list prior to your chat. Think about what qualities the best boss ever would have- and be realistic. Do you have ar eas where you don’t feel you have enough support from management? Are there classes or conferences you think your team should be attending? Would a more flexible work environment help morale? You shouldn’t list out every single thing you’re hoping for in a boss in your 15-minute meeting, but knowing what your ideal manager looks like will help you have a more constructive- and revealing- conversation with each candidate.4.  Give Constructive Feedback  While just meeting with your candidate is important, how you share your feedback with the key decision makers afterward is what will determine whether or not your efforts will be considered in the hiring decision.Of course, you took great notes during your interview, right? Once you’ve finished meeting a candidate, take those notes and draft up a quick summary of your impressions as quickly as possible after the meeting. In addition to all the more tangible takeaways, your gut feeling is important, too, and that’s best captur ed immediately after your interaction.Next will be how you present your thoughts to the hiring manager. If possible, do it in person or over the phone- with your notes and summary in hand, of course. Make sure you stay constructive, and avoid any comments that could be perceived as petty or unprofessional (commenting on a candidate’s hairstyle or lousy choice in tie, for example, won’t add any credibility to your feedback). Instead, share insightful observations about the candidates’ answers to your questions- and share some of the questions you asked as well. When the hiring manager realizes you tackled some angles the rest of the interviewers hadn’t considered, he or she is much more likely to consider your feedback seriously.When the higher-ups see how carefully and professionally you approached the interview process, they’re not only more likely to factor your opinions into the final decision, but they’ll have a whole new respect for your capabilities. And, don’t b e surprised if you find yourself interviewing as the future boss someday as a result!Photo of man meeting team courtesy of Shutterstock.

20 Best Jobs For 2015

20 Best Jobs For 2015 20 Best Jobs For 2015 This list was created by Careercast.com. It is based on several criteria such as: income, work environment, stress and hiring outlook. This criteria are considered in overall score of the job. The higher the score is, the worse the job is. 20. Medical Records Technician MRT is one of the few positions in healthcare that doesnt include contact with patients. It is very important in terms of maintaining accurate medical data and being responsible for it. Overall Score: 207.00 Income: $35,148.00 Work Environment: 44.400 Stress: 7.480 Hiring Outlook: 20.48 19. Petroleum Engineer It is known, that petroleum engineers have the highest paychecks among all engineers. Their income can differ due to a current price of oil. Their responsibilities are to plan drilling effectively and safely. Overall Score: 207.00 Income: $132,258.00 Work Environment: 53.100 Stress: 20.580 Hiring Outlook: 27.58 18. Meteorologist It is study of an earths atmosphere. Being able to know what to expect in terms of weather is very important. There is several different jobs such as analyzing weather, issuing of forecasts or alerting the public if needed. Overall Score: 204.00 Income: $87,165.00 Work Environment: 44.100 Stress: 14.650 Hiring Outlook: 8.65 17. Physical Therapist PTs are highly educated professionals in a healthcare field. Their work with patients can help them to reduce pain and/or restore mobility. Overall Score: 195.00 Income: $81,102.00 Work Environment: 55.600 Stress: 14.020 Hiring Outlook: 36.02 16. Optometrist Optometrist is basically an eye doctor. Optometrist examines eyes for both vision and health problems. It is his job to help you once your arms are too short to read a newspaper. Overall Score: 185.00 Income: $101,256.00 Work Environment: 50.700 Stress: 17.560 Hiring Outlook: 25.56 15. Economist Economists can educate, study or develop theories in the economy field. There are many subfields in economy. For most economists the most attractive are practical jobs in companies. Overall Score: 183.00 Income: $93,216.00 Work Environment: 46.000 Stress: 17.160 Hiring Outlook: 15.16 14. Human Resources Manager HR managers job is to maximize performance of his employees. Usually it is covered by number of activities including employee recruitment, training and their development. Overall Score: 173.00 Income: $101,200.00 Work Environment: 43.700 Stress: 15.000 Hiring Outlook: 11.00 13. Network and Computer Systems Administrator This person is responsible for upkeep, configuration and smooth operation of computer systems. Overall Score: 164.00 Income: $74,160.00 Work Environment: 43.700 Stress: 13.610 Hiring Outlook: 12.60 12. Dietician Dietician studies and takes care of human nutrition and diet regulation. This profession helps people to eat healthy and to reach specific health goals. Overall Score: 157.00 Income: $56,132.00 Work Environment: 45.500 Stress: 10.230 Hiring Outlook: 20.32 11. Speech Pathologist Speech-language pathologist specializes in the evaluation and treatment of speaking and swallowing disorders. This field is based on many different techniques of treatment based on a individual patients. Overall Score: 152.00 Income: $71,144.00 Work Environment: 47.300 Stress: 12.450 Hiring Outlook: 19.44 10. Computer Systems Analyst IT specialist whose job is to analyse, design and implement computer systems. Computer System Analyst is not usually involved in software or hardware development. Overall Score: 135.00 Income: $81,150.00 Work Environment: 44.100 Stress: 16.440 Hiring Outlook: 23.50 9. Occupational Therapist They help treat, develop, recover or maintain the living of physically or mentally disordered people. This job may not be focused on client only. Therapist can also train families to help their handicapped relatives. Overall Score: 134.00 Income: $77,114.00 Work Environment: 47.800 Stress: 13.100 Hiring Outlook: 29.14 8. Software Engineer Software engineering is the study and an application of engineering to the design, implementation and upkeep of software. Overall Score: 129.00 Income: $93,113.00 Work Environment: 48.800 Stress: 12.530 Hiring Outlook: 21.13 7. Dental Hygienist This profession is part of more complex dental field. Dental hygienists assess oral health of the patient and suggest preventative and educational services, which help to provide full oral health care. Overall Score: 125.00 Income: $71,102.00 Work Environment: 47.200 Stress: 12.040 Hiring Outlook: 31.02 6. Data Scientist Data scientist is an employee or business intelligence consultant, who analyses big amount of data in order to help the business company. Data scientists are usually hired by big companies. Overall Score: 121.00 Income: $124,149.00 Work Environment: 45.300 Stress: 13.500 Hiring Outlook: 14.97 5. Biomedical Engineer It is engineering principles used alongside with medicine and biology for healthcare purposes. This field involves tissue engineering, genetic engineering, pharmaceutical engineering etc. Overall Score: 117.00 Income: $89,165.00 Work Environment: 44.900 Stress: 16.620 Hiring Outlook: 26.65 4. Statistician If you like analysing both theoretical and applied statistic, this job should be suited for you. You may choose between public and private sector. Overall Score: 96.00 Income: $79,191.00 Work Environment: 41.900 Stress: 13.900 Hiring Outlook: 25.91 3. Mathematician This job may not be for everyone, since not everyone is mathematical genius. If you are good at math, you can try to become one, solving math problems or even creating your own math theories. Overall Score: 92.00 Income: $102,182.00 Work Environment: 42.900 Stress: 12.730 Hiring Outlook: 22.82 2. Audiologist Specialist who identifies, diagnoses, treats and monitors disorders of auditory and vestibular system of the ear. It was ranked by U.S news as one of the best careers in the USA. Overall Score: 88.00 Income: $71,133.00 Work Environment: 45.000 Stress: 6.300 Hiring Outlook: 33.33 1. Actuary Actuary basically calculates odds of financial risk. Actuaries are part of the management team in the company. Companies that employ them are usually from the fields like insurance, retirement system or financial and management system. Apparently, it is the best profession you can get in 2015. Overall Score: 80.00 Income: $94,209.00 Work Environment: 41.500 Stress: 16.300 Hiring Outlook: 25.09 source: CareerCast.com Do you like this story? Share it with your friends. Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments!

The Best Career Advice I Ever Received

The Best Career Advice I Ever Received The Best Career Advice I Ever Received More Millennials,  those born after 1980, now power the US workforce than any other generation. And they bring a lot to the table. Their diversity, technological fluidity and their generational values  are changing how work coexists with the rest of life. A community-minded generation, Millennials value family, professional creativity, authenticity and quality of life. They have weathered difficult economic times, and they share a commitment to making the world healthier and more harmonious.       Millennials have helped to shape a new American dream that sees work and life integrated to duly advance workers’ professional and personal character and skills. In their vision, employees power their ambitions with their passion and their reward is more than just financial. They find genuine fulfillment and harmony that they can use to enhance their community.     This generation brings innovation, community awareness, and hope. These are some voices that stand out among Millennials, sharing their reflections about the career advice that inspired and instructed them along their paths. Finding your niche I know its clichéd, but my mom always said, ‘If you find a job you love, youll never work a day in your life.’ Its so important to think long and hard about what you love doing. Once youre clear on that, you can set out to find a fulfilling career.   Alexa von Tobel, founder and CEO, LearnVest.com Recognizing victories Take a moment to celebrate victories. I really enjoy what I do, and sometimes it can be hard to stop and appreciate what weve accomplished. Anthony Casalena, founder and CEO, Squarespace Cultivating vision Strong leadership cannot happen if people do not follow and believe in the common mission you lay out and cultivate. From my military service, I learned people need to see and visualize the end game in order to walk the lengthy path, and laying a vision is critical. Amit Y. Kleinberger, CEO,  Menchies Frozen Yogurt Heirloom advice Tracht Gut Ven Zein Gut’ is a Yiddish phrase that means ‘Think Good and It will Be Good’ this is the motto I live by and it has been passed down over the generations in the Hasidic community that I belong to. Zalmi Duchman, founder, The Fresh Diet Advice from professional leaders David Gorodyansky, co-founder and CEO, AnchorFree Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs, once told me over a cigar that nobody really knows what they are talking about. Everyone is just winging it. Second, I attended a dinner at the U.S. Supreme Court where Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg mentioned a couple of things that I absorbed. 1: The concept of trying the door - if you try to open a door but dont have success, keep trying different ways until you get through. Never give up. 2: Learn to listen, because most people dont know how. David Gorodyansky, co-founder and CEO, AnchorFree Knowing your value You are your own best advocate, and no one will care as much about you as you do. No one will fight for you like you will.’ A mentor, Ed Goines, said this to me . . . He reminded me that I know my work better than anyone else, I know what I’m capable of more than anyone else, and that I care about my growth and progression more than anyone else. All of those together means that I’m my own best advocate, and that I shouldn’t be afraid of talking about my accomplishments and knowing my worth. If I discount and devalue myself, so will others.  Knowing your worth teaches people how to treat you. Bari  A.  Williams, Counsel, Global Infrastructure Operations at Facebook Inc. Committing to a cause We were taught early on to take care of our planet, so working in sustainability was important to us. Added to that, our commitment to global human rights issues- another lesson handed down by our “Baby-Boomer” parentsâ€"informed our desire to elevate products crafted by people who are treated well, and who work in safe conditions. Maxine Be ´dat and Soraya Darabi, co-founders of Zady.com

How to Reduce Resistance to Change From Employees

How to Reduce Resistance to Change From Employees How to Reduce Resistance to Change From Employees Resistance to change is a natural reaction when employees are asked, well, to change. Change is uncomfortable and requires new ways of thinking and doing. People have trouble developing a vision of what life will look like on the other side of a change. So, they tend to cling to the known rather than embrace the unknown. Employees dont fear change, though, they fear the unknown. They fear being changed. Change Produces Anxiety and Uncertainty in Employees Employees may lose their sense of security. They may prefer the status quo. The range of reactions, when change is introduced, is unpredictable. No employee is left unaffected by most changes. As a result, resistance to change often occurs when change is introduced. Your Expectations Play a Role in Employee Resistance Resistance to change is best viewed as a normal reaction. Even the most cooperative, supportive employees may experience resistance. So, dont introduce change believing that you will experience nothing but resistance or that resistance will be severe. Instead, introduce change with a positive spirit and believe that your employees want to cooperate, make the best of each work situation and that they will completely and enthusiastically support the changes as time goes by. By your thinking and your approach, you can affect the degree to which resistance bogs the change down. You can reduce natural resistance by the actions you take and how you involve the employees. Deep in their hearts, they want to become part of the bigger picture of the organization. Communication and Input Reduce Employee Resistance In a best-case scenario, every employee has the opportunity to talk about, provide input to, and have an impact on the changes you are pursuing. Rationally, this depends on how big the change is and how many people the change will affect. In a company-wide change effort, for example, the employee input will most likely affect how to implement the changes at a departmental level, not the issue of whether to make the changes in the first place. The overall direction, in these cases, comes from senior leadership who have solicited feedback from their reporting staff. In some cases, a leadership team to lead the changes organizationally is established. These teams may contain a cross-section of employees from across the organization. Or, they are often staffed by managers and senior leaders who have consequential oversight for portions of the organization. If communication is a strength in your organization, the opportunity for input may have reached down to the frontline soldiers. But, this is often not the case, because the input and feedback have to make their way back through all of the filters presented by middle management. These recommendations are made for the millions of managers, supervisors, team leaders, and employees who are asked to change something- or everything- periodically at work. You may or may not have had input into the direction chosen by your senior leaders or your organization. But, as the core doers at work, you are expected to make the changes and deal with any resistance to change that you may experience along the way. You can reduce employee resistance to change by taking these recommended actions at each stage. Manage Resistance to Change These tips will help you minimize, reduce, and make less painful, the resistance that you create as you introduce changes. This is not the definitive guide to managing resistance to change- but implementing these suggestions will give you a head start. Own the Changes No matter where the change originated- and change can show up at any point in your organization, even originating with you- you must own the change yourself. Its your responsibility to implement the change. You can only do that effectively if you plan how you will implement the change with the people you influence or oversee in your organization. Get Over It Okay, youve had the opportunity to tell senior managers what you think. You spoke loudly in the focus group. You presented your recommended direction, with data and examples, to the team. The powers that be have chosen a different direction than the one you supported. Its time to move on. Once the decision is made, your agitating time is over. Whether you agree or not, once the organization, the group, or the team decides to move on- you need to do everything in your power to make the selected direction succeed. Anything else is sabotage, and it will make your life miserable. It can even get you fired. No Biased and Fractional Support Allowed Even if you dont support the direction, once it is decided, you owe it 100 percent of your leadership and support. Wishy-washy or partial support is undermining the effort- it wont earn you any points from your managers or senior leaders or cause your coworkers and reporting staff to respect you. If you cant buy into the fact that the chosen direction is where you are going, you can, at least, buy into the fact that it is critical that you support it. Once the direction is chosen, it is your job to make it work. Anything less is disrespectful, undermining, and destructive of the senior leaders direction. Support the change or its time for you to move on and out. (Dont wait for your senior leaders to terminate your employment for non-support. You can do a lot of damage while waiting for the end to come.) Recognize that Resistance Is Minimized if You Have Created a Trusting, Employee-Oriented, Supportive Work Environment If your employees think that you are honest, trust you and feel loyal to you, they are much more likely to get on board with the changes quickly. So, the efforts that you have expended in building this type of relationship will serve you well during the change implementation. (They will serve you well in general, but especially during times of stress and change.) Communicate the Change You undoubtedly have reporting staff, departmental colleagues, and employees to whom you must communicate the change. How you communicate the change to the people you influence has the single most important impact on how much resistance to change will occur. One of the key factors is an environment in which there is a  widespread belief that a change is needed. So, one of your first tasks in effective communication is to build the case for why the change was needed. Specifically, inform the employees about what your group can and cannot affect. Spend time discussing how to implement the change and make it work. Answer questions; share your earlier reservations, but state that you are on board and going to make the change work now. Ask the employees to join you in that endeavor because only the team can make the change happen. Stress that you have knowledge, skills, and strengths that will help move the team forward, and so does each of the team members. All are critical to making the changes work- and gee, life after the changes may get better. Help the Employees Identify Whats in it For Them to Make the Change A good portion of resistance disappears when employees are clear about the benefits the change brings to them. Benefits to the group, the department, and the organization should be stressed, too. But, nothing is more important to an individual employee than to know the positive impact on their own career or job. Additionally, employees must feel that the time, energy, commitment, and focus necessary to implement the change are compensated equally by the benefits they will attain from making the change. Happier customers, increased sales, a pay raise, recognition from the boss, and an exciting new role or project are examples of ways in which you can help employees feel compensated for the time and energy that any change requires. Listen Empathetically to the Employees You can expect that the employees will experience the same range of emotions that you experienced when the change was introduced to you. Never minimize an employees response to even the most simple change. You cant know or experience the impact from an individual employees point of view. Maybe the change seems insignificant to many employees, but the change will seriously impact another employees favorite task. Hearing the employees out and letting them express their point of view in a non-judgmental environment will reduce resistance to change. Empower Employees to Contribute Control of their own jobs is one of the five key factors in what employees want from work. This control aspect follows when you seek to minimize resistance to change. Give the employees control over any aspect of the change that they can manage. If you have communicated transparently, you have provided the direction, the rationale, the goals, and the parameters that have been set by your organization. Within that framework, your job is to empower the employees to make the change work. Practice effective delegation and set the critical path points at which you need feedback for the change effort- and get out of their way. Create an Organization-Wide Feedback and Improvement Loop Do these steps mean that the change that was made is the right or optimal change? Not necessarily. You must maintain an open line of communication throughout your organization to make sure that feedback reaches the ears of the employees leading the charge. Changing details, continuous improvement, and tweaking is a natural  and expected part of any organizational change. Most changes are not poured in concrete, but there must be a willingness to examine the improvement (plan, do, study, take additional action). If you implement your change in an organizational environment that is employee-oriented, with transparent communication and a high level of trust, you have a huge advantage. But, even in the most supportive environment, you must understand and respond to the range of human emotions and responses that are elicited during times of intense change.