Change is inevitable, it happens with us, for us, to us,
against us and so on, and on, and on. I’ve
never really minded change, or gave it much thought. I’ve always had a “roll with it” mentality
that has served me well over the years, but nevertheless, the current changes
in my life have caused pause, and reflection.
Why do some people resist change so much? I used to and believe lots of people think it’s
just fear, fear due to lack of experience, or fear of losing something the
currently have. I think it might be
more than that, a lot more than just fear.
What if it’s mixed with pride?
Fear + Pride, pride in who you are at this moment, pride in the
decisions you’ve made, pride in your job, talents, abilities, etc. or Fear + Pride
+ ignorance + faith? You work out the
combinations, there are bunches.
Lots of change that happens is out of our control, like
your favorite boss quitting and going to work somewhere else. This has recently happened to me, which is probably
why this topic is on my mind. I had an
awesome boss, he was good, smart, and honest and told you like it was. You knew where he stood, and that is rare in
the world of covering up, and launching people under the bus to make yourself
look good. The group I work with now has
a new manager, and it has been interesting the different adaptations I’ve been
witnessing in myself, and my teammates.
Old Guy is the coolest member in the group and is my Yoda
when it comes to remaining calm and going with the flow. He is ‘Fonzie’ when it comes to adapting to
changes. He is unafraid to jump the
shark, and fearless in asking for clarification. I’m learning a lot from Old Guy.
Then there is Angry Guy.
This struck me as odd, because he wasn’t like that before the manager
swap. He got defensive during meetings
where he was asked about his activities, and projects. He’s bitchy and moody, and complains about
the work load. I don’t understand this
one, is it fear of the unknown, is it fear of proving yourself to be the competent
one that needs to be in that chair? I don’t know what the deal is, the new manager is a lot like the old one, and the only difference I can see is she lacks a penis. I personally think that gender is a terrible reason to rate someone. I
hate to think it is because she is a she, but he is in his 50’s, and may have a
different perspective on serving under women.
Or is it something else, pride, inflexibility? I don’t know, maybe you can offer up a
reason.
Brings us to New Guy, he started a couple of weeks before
our manager left for greener pastures and seems to be ok with it all, but he
and I both wonder about Angry Guy. I have
noticed that he has become the group’s peace maker, olive branch provider,
between Angry Guy and everyone else.
This may be a trait he had all along, or a response to the changes that
have been made, who knows.
Then there is Hidden Guy.
He was always up front, look what I can do type. Not in a bad way really, just made a point to
let you know all the stuff he was doing.
He was just visible, but now he hangs in his cube, comes out for
meetings and what not. Works and calls
on others as needed. I don’t understand
this one either. He doesn’t act
depressed or stressed out, when we see him he seems the same as always without
the bravado.
Now I know that all of this is skewed by my perspective
on the different situations but still, makes me wonder. I know in my life I’m going through at least
6 changes, some are super slow, some have been quick, some are constant but it’s
funny how each one brings me to different thoughts, different feelings, different
conclusions and different questions. I personally
don’t think things happen for a reason, we just find reason in the things that
happen and attribute that to someone, or something else. Like now, as I’m writing this a quote popped
into my head, and maybe it’s one of the secrets to adapting…
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all
within yourself in your way of thinking.” ~ Marcus Aurelius~