3 Ways to Conquer Fear of Change

When you hear statements about change, what feelings do they inspire?

If you are like most humans, they inspire a bit of fear – often fear of losing what we already have more than fear of the unknown.

As I’ve taught and coached using the Predictive Index_^® over the last 15 years, I’ve found myself in this space most often:

What is at the root of why upcoming changes are inspiring fear within me?

In these cases, I’ve found that the insights in the PI^® behavioral assessment proved remarkably useful to my clients. Through that data point we can do a few important things to regain confidence and a solid footing upon which to make decisions:

1. Perspective and detachment

As we review PI results, it is an exercise in contemplation of the core factors and needs that all human beings have. The motivations that drive much of our rote decision making.

In understanding these factors, my clients can detach themselves from the storytelling and victimhood of their current situation. This detachment inspires clarity and relief where decision making becomes easier. “I’m not alone. I’m not the first. I’m one of many who…” We learn that we are in a much more common situation that we believe we are.

2. Name it

PI also provides us with useful names for our motivating factors. These tend to be the factors that are contributing most to our fears, anxiety, worry, and lack of confidence amidst pending change. These motivators are:

• Independence
• Control
• Power
• Challenges
• Money/resources
• Personal and positive praise
• Social inclusion
• Process
• Familiarity and family
• Quality time
• Clear expectations
• Positive performance feedback
• Rules and fairness

The utility of these motivators is that they provide doors through which we can explore deeper questions that will address the root causes of fear. We are also able to see our current situation through a new lens, and to coach ourselves as if we were someone we cared about.

3. A plan

Once we have a grasp of what our core factors are, and what the corresponding needs are, then we can build a simple, but effective, plan to move to a different state amidst change.

For instance, when I know that clarity is important to me, I can now re-enter the change situation and request the clarity around the areas that are causing me the greatest fear or anxiety. Or, if I know that freedom is important to me, I can have a conversation with my manager about how any upcoming changes may directly impact that important aspect of my work at this company.

Regardless of the needs, this process allows a person to take deliberate action in an area that is critical to regaining or maintaining self-confidence. Bob Wilson, our founder, coined the phrase: Confidence is the currency of productivity. I have found that statement to ring true especially in navigating these situations.

“Confidence is the currency of productivity.”
– Bob Wilson

Summary

“Actionable people data” is one of the five drivers of cultural competitive advantage – part of the ATLAS framework we focus on at ADVISA. The first person you want clarity around is yourself, and the Predictive Index behavioral assessment is an amazing tool for clarity. Calling on that knowledge in times of change is a great use case for how the information becomes actionable.

When a person can name what is being affected by their fear in a change situation they regain a level of agency. They can act on addressing a root cause issue that will have an impact on their self-confidence. When that confidence is regained, or strengthened, then I have found for my clients, and myself, that my decisions begin to be effective ones.

LEARN MORE

If this topic is one you have interest in exploring in greater depth, check out my mini session on Confidence, Fear, and Decision Making Through the Lens of PI on YouTube. You may want to have a copy of your own PI in hand to make it more relevant to your unique situation.

Or reach out to me directly if you have any questions: bmckay@advisausa.com