The Most Important Lesson I Have Learned After Working For 20 years
Posted: 2024-06-04
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After continuously working for 20 years, the most important lesson I have learned so far is “You can never ignore change”. This realization is equally apt for both our professional and personal lives.

Technologies will evolve more, industries will witness major shifts, and new methodologies will surely come and go. Open-handedly welcoming these changes is essential for your overall growth and success.

This mindset is particularly crucial in the healthcare and hospitality industries, where leadership in healthcare and leadership in the hospitality industry must adapt to continuous advancements and shifting expectations.

When it comes to personal lives, life events, relationships, and our own perspectives are in constant flux. Appreciating changes with flexibility and openness allows us to overcome challenges and seize better opportunities.

This mindset helps us not only strengthen our professional expertise but also improves our personal experiences.

In the healthcare industry leadership styles play a pivotal role in overcoming changes effectively. Leaders in this field must adapt to change to improve patient care and organizational efficiency.

Similarly, transformational leadership in the hospitality industry is essential for staying competitive and improving customer satisfaction.

The Inescapable Nature of Change

Change is the only constant, this is the ultimate truth that has echoed throughout history till now. This timeless truth highlights the importance of change in our lives.

Though people often resist changes by choosing comfort and familiarity, change is an essential part of our existence, shaping our paths and influencing our futures.

As human beings, we often resist changes and cling to the comfort of routine. Yet, change remains integral to our existence, framing our journeys and molding our destinies.

The Paradox of Freedom and Change

The one great thing about a job is the freedom. Freedom allows you to make changes in anything and everything, including leadership models in healthcare and leadership in hospitality industry practices. Being able to come up with new ideas and sort out problems guides the company in a new direction.

It could be both exciting and interesting, but this freedom of choice often comes with a downside. Understanding how change is important for growth and progress often entails facing challenges.

Changes do not favor the usual way of doing things; they challenge established habits and routines. They push people out of their comfort zones, making them adapt to new situations. This realization is important, though it causes discomfort and anxiety.

The Psychological Resistance to Change

As humans, we don’t usually like changes. We get scared of new things easily and prefer to stay in our comfort zones. In professional life, this is relatable. People get used to their daily routines, make friends, and feel stable.

When a change happens, it makes things worse. People get nervous and might not really like the idea of it. This is the reason why, even when change is good, people often resist it.

In the healthcare sector, leadership and management are crucial for managing resistance to change effectively. Leaders must communicate the need for change and the benefits it brings, promoting an environment where change is seen as an opportunity rather than a threat.

The Cost of Being a Changemaker

One hard thing about being a changemaker is that they are often considered troublemakers. Even their co-workers get offended by their idea of change, friendships can suffer, and even the strongest relationships can end.

From my experience, being someone who makes changes can be isolated. You might feel lonely because people find it hard to accept the new ideas you suggest.

Setting boundaries, using logic instead of emotions, and pushing for necessary changes can make others feel distant. It can be the toughest decision you could ever make, but it’s an important part of your job.

The Intricate Art of Change Management

Handling change means balancing logic and feelings. You need to set boundaries and make tough choices, even if it affects your relationships. This is part of growing professionally. It teaches us to accept and adapt to change and help others do the same.

To manage change well, communicate clearly and kindly. Explain why the change is needed, the benefits it will bring, and the steps involved.

Acknowledge that it may cause discomfort, but also highlight the new opportunities it offers. By promoting open communication and being receptive to feedback, you can ease the transition and build support for the change.

Lessons Learned from Two Decades of Experience

When talking about my 20-year journey, I’ve learned that accepting changes is the most important lesson. The few things I’ve learned are listed below:

  • Accept the changes that come your way. Life is not predictable; instead of fighting change, learn to tackle it and get used to it.
  • Maintain clear communication when managing change. Explain why the change is needed, address concerns, and listen to feedback.
  • Make decisions based on facts instead of emotions. Remember to consider people’s feelings as well. It’s important to address both.
  • Making informed choices can be hard sometimes. It will let you down by making you feel lonely. You need to stay strong, face the challenges, and keep focused on your goals.
  • Show that you can adapt and stay positive about change. Your attitude will influence others and help create a culture that accepts change.

The Power of Change

Things might change sometimes, and that can be tough. But guess what? Change is like a natural phenomenon. It helps us learn new things, try better ways of doing stuff, and reach for even better goals. At work, being ready for changes is what defines you. Just like a video game, when we keep going, we learn new things.

Changes can come almost all the time, but that’s okay. We can learn to deal with it, guide others through it, and grow even bigger and stronger. So next time change shows up, remember, it’s absolutely okay to set your own limits. But be open to new things too. It might be the trickiest level, but it’s also the one with the greatest rewards.

Which part of the change resonated with you the most from this blog? Share your thoughts and experiences with our community.

/Embrace change for growth. Adaptability is key to success in work and life
ByBinu Bhasuran