Mergers are nail-biters...

Mergers can be tough on leadership and employees alike. After a merger or acquisition, the organizational structure of the company the employees have become accustomed to can change in a flash. Change is typically off-putting to most people. Employees may become scared that they will be no longer needed or will have to impress a new boss. All of this can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety that can slow productivity or even paralyze your work force. Therefore, it's crucial to have a plan to manage anxiety (aside from Xanax) otherwise your team will be set up for failure. 

Communication is one of the most important ways to manage merger anxiety. Let your employees know what changes will be made as soon as possible. A lot of the fear of changes from mergers is due to not knowing exactly what the changes will be. Letting your employers know exactly what to expect can help them cope with the changes sooner, minimizing anxiety. If there is no communication, it's human nature for people to come up with the worst possible scenario in their minds, thus maximizing anxiety. 

It's also very important to be as honest with your employees as possible. If your company is the one being acquired, it is likely some employees will have to be let go due to redundant positions in the two companies. It is also likely some people will have to change their role or take on additional responsibilities. Being up front with your employees you feel will be most affected will give them more time to prepare. It will also lend to a better opportunity for all of you to manage the change, allowing for a smoother transition.

If you are anticipating rough roads again, but can't see the path - let us help you! 

E-mail: info at connorcaitlin.com  Twitter: @connor_caitlin

Who moved my cheese? Who cares - I'm moving on to wine!

Change is always on the horizon.  It’s necessary and inevitable. Often times, we really want the change but then are confused by our own response to the reality of it. It may be a change in your environment, career move or physical move. Whatever the circumstance, change prompts a powerful response from your emotions – often known as stress!  Identifying whether it’s positive or negative is really determined by your attitude. Instead of trying to fight it or merely cope (all of which will leave you frustrated, isolated and exhausted) try adjusting your mindset altogether! 

Before you say, “Easier said than done!” ponder these thoughts:

Ø  Denial is not a river in Egypt. Acknowledge change is happening. Burying your head in the sand won’t stop it. By the time you pull it out, you’ll be behind the curve or perhaps worse, have missed the boat entirely. "When you're finished changing, you're finished." It may be an old adage, but damn if Ben Franklin isn’t right.

Ø  Think of change as a process. Change usually doesn’t happen overnight, nor do you adjust overnight. There are many steps which must be taken to get to the other side of the mountain. Fortunately, all you have to do is focus on one step at a time.

Ø  Rise to the positive. If you choose to perceive anything as positive, it can be! You will thrive in positivity. Keeping your chin up will help you feel better and bring you closer to those around you, which will probably help your transition.

Ø  Redefine routines and success. The definition of success varies for every individual, every relationship and in every career. It is likely that success in your last career doesn’t look the same as your new one. In the beginning set short term goals & define success on a daily basis. As you start to achieve this many days in a row, define success on a weekly basis, then monthly. From here you will be able to identify long term goals without getting overwhelmed at how much work it will take to get there.

Ø  Have an attitude of gratitude. Change is an opportunity. It opens a door that you couldn’t even see existed from where you stood before! Find things to be excited about and look forward too.

Don’t forget to engage your support network. Communicating is key during this time! Not tapping into support from a leader, mentor, family or friends will only serve to help you feel more isolated. Remember the positive!

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. - Socrates

Please contact a Practice Leader at  Connor|Caitlin for more information.