Anticipation and Uncertainty

Anticipation is the feeling of excitement and eagerness that comes with the new opportunities and positive outcomes that change can bring. In contrast, uncertainty is the apprehension, fear, and doubt that arise when we face unfamiliar and potentially challenging situations.

With change a constant reality in the workplace, whether it's due to organisational restructuring, new projects, or technology implementation, how much better to help support employees to anticipate the future state and be more receptive to it. For instance, an employee might be excited about the possibility of learning new skills, working in better ways and advancing their career.

On the other hand, uncertainty can be a barrier to change. It can lead to resistance, disengagement, and decreased motivation among employees. For example, an employee may worry about their job security or feel overwhelmed by the prospect of a new project that requires a different skill set.

Leveraging the anticipation of change and minimising the uncertainty comes down to how we manage it. A couple of ways I frequently see this goes pear shaped comes down to whether we know our why - what's the purpose of what we are doing, why does it matter and why this way and not another - and whether we are engaging those affected early in the process - a sense of inclusion and ownership can eliminate a lot of uncertainty and create a sense of possibilty and optimism.

#doonethingdeep #change #culture #leadership