“Change happens” could be the mantra of Dennis O’Grady, a consulting communications psychologist in Dayton and author of the popular book Taking the Fear Out of Changing and Talk to Me: Communication moves to get along with anyone.
“What psychologists do well is help people cope with change,” O’Grady explained, “and encouraging people to stay up during discouraging times is what my business is all about. I help leaders, individuals, companies, families, couples and team members deal better with change.” (From “Analyze This” by Richard Doty in The Magazine of Wright State University, Fall 2004.)
Give Change a Chance
Members of my change management seminar audiences often ask how to know the difference between when you should change…and when you should continue doing things the way you’ve been doing them. One answer is to create a circle of advisers for yourself-people whom you trust and with whom you can double-check your thinking.
I am also a firm believer in brief communications coaching. You’re not crazy if you hire a neutral (outside your work/family) consulting “change agent(s)” to be part of your inner circle of advisers. In fact, you would be sane and smart. People need advice from experts in change and changing behavior.
Ask three people who aren’t afraid to give you blunt, accurate, timely feedback. Surround yourself by people who are interested in your changes, not in keeping things the way they’ve always been.
Another step you can take is to begin to value all of your relationships more. Friendship and romance are powerful ways to promote positive change. And lastly, you can take advantage of the self-help groups/web logs that are available for free on the internet.
Dr. Dennis O’Grady is a communications coach and consulting psychologist from Dayton, Ohio, and the author of Taking the Fear Out of Changing and the new and tested communication tools handbook TALK TO ME. Dennis is also the developer of the “Leadership Talks” corporate team communication training program.