{"id":10073,"date":"2021-04-01T00:00:58","date_gmt":"2021-04-01T00:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/?p=10073"},"modified":"2022-06-15T17:47:52","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T17:47:52","slug":"manager-leadership-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/manager-leadership-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Adapt, Change, Repeat"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cCOVID-19 isn\u2019t a big deal. There isn\u2019t anything to worry about!\u201d I said those words in January 2020 and weeks later I was shocked by life\u2019s change of direction. Within months, I went from preparing for a busy year to trying to find my new normal in quarantine.<\/p>\n

I had expectations and hopes for 2020 that didn\u2019t involve culturing sourdough bread, going up a pants size or rationing personal protective equipment<\/a>. I used to seek control and stability with every decision I made. Consistency is easy. Change requires us to leave our comfort zone and face hard situations while feeling all alone.<\/p>\n

A few years ago, I realized that resisting change makes the journey harder. Embracing change is a skill that requires us to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Staying flexible and viewing change as a welcome challenge helps me to ride the wave of life instead of feeling it crash down on me repeatedly.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to adapt, change and repeat with finesse.<\/p>\n

1. Become a Learner Again<\/h3>\n

Switching from expert to learner is difficult for many people. Defensiveness is usually the first reaction. I felt the same way when I was challenging myself to change. I wanted to argue that I had worked hard to be an expert and that I had put blood, sweat and tears into becoming highly skilled at my job. I was proud of what I had achieved, and it meant a lot that people came to me for advice.<\/p>\n

Letting go of the thought that I was the expert was difficult, but when I did, I rolled with life rather than fight it. The other surprising benefit: When I approached situations as a learner, I was better able to support my team members and gain their trust. Team members want a competent leader they can depend on, and they also want to feel included if things have to change. When you are in a learner\u2019s mindset, your thoughts change from \u201cI must already have the answers\u201d to \u201cI\u2019m curious about the solutions the team sees\u201d to \u201cWhy is the team still not adopting this new protocol?\u201d to \u201cI\u2019m curious about the challenges the team is facing.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Flip the Script<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s Nov. 13, 2019, and Janet the practice manager is already feeling holiday burnout. Employees want time off, clients are more demanding and the third pancreatitis case of the day just walked in.<\/p>\n

Janet can\u2019t wait for January, when things start to slow. She starts to daydream about how, for the first time in months, the hospital will be fully staffed, the team will get along again and she will start to see her hard work pay off.<\/p>\n

But shortly, COVID went into full swing. After trying to keep up with new government regulations, declining team morale and clients at their breaking point, Janet found adapting to be difficult.<\/p>\n

When a situation or person isn\u2019t meeting your expectations, think about the new opportunity rather than what could have been. Flipping the script can open us to new ideas and sometimes make burdens feel more manageable.<\/p>\n

People who turn demanding situations into opportunities think about the possibilities and let go of expectations. This approach doesn\u2019t make time go faster or the challenge any less difficult, but it does shift the focus into a growth mindset instead of one stuck without options.<\/p>\n

If you have a difficult time flipping the script in times of change, ask yourself:<\/p>\n