PAUSE before passing judgement on whether the change is good or bad.
PAUSE to learn more about what the change is and why it’s being made.
PAUSE to ask questions to learn more about how it will impact you and others.
PAUSE to examine the way it was communicated (well/poorly, from someone you do/don’t trust, with/without sufficient details) and how that might influence your response.
THEN sleep on it. Give yourself time to think it through. Let it soak in.
THEN check your emotions and think about what they might be telling you.
Which of the 6 basic emotions are you feeling? Are you sad, happy, fearful, angry, surprised, or disgusted?
Determine your next steps based on the emotions you are feeling.
Following these steps when faced with a change to how you work will result in a more positive and productive response than responding solely based on your first emotions.
How do you typically respond to news of change?
