Make Change Happen, Then Adapt to It

Being proactive means actively striving to make positive change in your workplace. And a great way to know what’s best for your unique organization is to find out how your specific strengths can contribute to the big picture. It’s best to get outside opinions when trying to suss out your own abilities! Once you’ve figured out your areas of opportunity, you’ll need to put in effort to achieve those changes. This will all let your proactive nature shine, making a great impression on your co-workers and bosses. The methods from the pros that we’ve collected below will help you do just that.

We love this fantastic, collaborative tip from John Turner at Thrive Global: “Ask for feedback. Asking for feedback is a simple way to become more proactive. You don’t just have to wait for your boss or manager to give you an appraisal. You can start a conversation by simply saying ‘What can I do to improve?’ You’ll be taking initiative and making an impression. You’re seeking out information and will learn what you need to know to improve at your job. This shows that you care, you’re interested in the job, and it makes you stand out. Not to mention, you’ll actually improve at your work and build skills. Asking for feedback is an effective way to be more proactive at work that takes very little time.” This method shows off your commitment to your workplace performance AND your time management skills! Figuring out how to improve at your job will allow you to complete tasks faster by prioritizing them appropriately relative to your unique skill set. Asking for feedback also shows that you trust the person you’re consulting, building up a further sense of community between you.

Once you have that feedback, be sure to use this trick from Duncan Muguku at ThriveYard on something that’s key to proactivity: “Adapting to change. There are constant changes in the world of business. The ability to adapt to change easily affects one’s capacity to be proactive. When confronted with change, take time to analyze and understand the reason for the change, the impact of the change and how you need to adjust seamlessly moving forward. If you are the one initiating the change, it is critical to communicate the change well to others. Ideally involve them in every step of the change and let people understand the reason why the change is being introduced and the potential benefits.” Communication is key to flexibility. Letting those around you know why you’re inclined towards implementing a change at work will allow them the opportunity to provide further feedback on how to make that potential change even more effective–or to let you know that someone has already tried that solution. Think about change critically. If your organization has been utilizing a particular methodology, there’s a reason! As much as you need to be ready to adapt to change, make sure that you’re not trying to fix something if it isn’t broken.

Above all, keeping an open mind is key when working to amp up your personal foundation of proactivity. You can always learn from those around you, but to do that means you’ll need to recognize that every person in your professional environment has wisdom to offer. Take steps towards achieving change by seeking out that knowledge. This will result in not only your personal development but a greater sense of appreciation for your employers and colleagues. Visit us again tomorrow for a midweek Mood Boost with our Wednesday Wellness: Proactive edition.

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