Processing a Corporate Seismic Shift

A couple of days ago, I talked about how to oppose a decision that goes against your organization’s core values. But what if the decision is deliberately to make some fundamental change to the values, mission, purpose, or identity of your company? What if the decision is as significant as Netflix abandoning DVDs in favor of streaming, or Coca-Cola changing the formula of its signature product, and you don’t have the benefit of hindsight to know whether this pivot was necessary for survival or the beginning of a catastrophe?

And what if the decision has already been made in spite of your efforts to appeal it?

Depending on what kind of change is underway, you may feel disoriented, misaligned, or even betrayed. I’d like to share some steps that can help you process what this seismic shift means to you personally.

First, put words around what changed. Is it the company’s identity? values? mission? strategy? Articulate the before and after, focusing on facts and not emotions.

Second, put words around your personal connection to what changed. Evaluate what parts of your personal identity are tied to the “before” condition and which parts still resonate with the “after” condition.

Third, if there are parts of your personal identity that you lost with this change, consider how crucial those parts really are to you, and whether you can fulfill them outside of your role at work. Consider also what parts of your personal identity may be strengthened as a result of this change.

Fourth, put words around both a) what this change makes possible for you and your personal growth and b) what personal losses you may grieve as a result of this change.

Fifth, put words around a decision. If you can align yourself with the new direction, then fully commit yourself to work for its success. If you can’t, then craft a message that lets you exit with personal integrity and preserved relationships.

If you’re currently facing a situation like this and you’d like an independent thinking partner with no personal agenda, let’s talk. Visit stevedwire.com/talk to start the conversation.