Change is in the air.
Conversations buzz around the new person coming in. What will she be like? Hard? Understanding? Domineering? Caring? They did not want too much too change. For ten years they had served the community adequately and they felt they had done a good job. But they had heard things through the grapevine.
“She introduced peer evaluation.”
“I heard that she is a top-down sort of manager.”
“Surely someone cannot be that bad if she organises staff socials?”
‘They say that she increases staff efficiency.”
The day had arrived for the changeover. The staff gathered in the conference room and were surprised when a woman their age was introduced to them as their new leader. They had expected someone younger and career-driven, dressed in a suit carrying a briefcase. Instead before them stood a woman dressed in bright colours wearing a long, silk scarf around her neck. She opened her arms and smiled.
“Thank you for the welcome. I look forward to working here to make a difference. But let’s get started. We have a community to serve.”
Are you wary of change in the workplace?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2014
(This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt: change)
Ha! Teachers can be so afraid of change, which is funny considering our profession is all about helping kids change. Glad your new principal seems like someone who will build community while infusing new ideas.
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This piece was actually half fiction, half truth. The school I am moving too will have a new principal – and I am hoping that she is community minded 🙂
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Prayers for this year – new school and new principal! Hope this year is fantastic!
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Thank you so much Annie. I go in Monday to meet the new faces and see my new classroom 🙂
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Yes! I’m not in the workforce anymore, but I remember the apprehension of getting a new boss. Not all change was difficult: it was exciting when we moved into new labs and when I changed supervisors (to work for someone I already knew). But getting a boss I’d never met … yes, that was always a challenge.
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It can be. Especially when the staff worked well with the previous boss. One always hope that the person coming in will not make too many changes too quickly.
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hi colline, i enjoyed your post today. it reminded me of the responses at work when any change came out…no matter how small or large! (i’m not a retired RN as of april 2013) the last year i worked seemed to be full of change…so much that the routine was CHANGE!
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In some ways the change can be exciting – but at other times a bit stressful especially when it becomes routine. I hope that you are enjoying the changes that come with retirement.
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Not anymore because I work from home, but yes, I used to be, especially if I already had a great boss. I like the way you summed it up in your Five Minute Friday. Well done. 🙂
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Thank you Robin. 🙂
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Dealing with change within change is more than challenging. Great post, Colline 🙂
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Thank you Amy. Glad you enjoyed it.
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This new boss has the right idea, Colline. I’m so happy that you like her. 🙂
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I haven’t met her yet – that will be done on Monday 🙂
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Well, I hope that you think she’s perfect for the position. 🙂
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I hope Monday goes well for you! 🙂 Here’s to change!
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Thank you. Change can be good – as you have experienced 🙂
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Indeed. 🙂
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I have no issues with change in the workplace if it’s genuinely for the good of the company! Too often it’s about people at higher managerial levels making a name for themselves and more often than not they don’t even have the gumption to actually confirm that their edicts have been carried out down below – which is often just as well for the customers 😉 I’ve seen good and bad and I’ve weathered the storms of manager driven upheaval. We’re going through a wonderful thing currently called continuous improval but… I suspect I’ve actually been doing this for the last 30 years off my own bat without some fresh out of college manager to guide me – and I have one thing in my armoury that they don’t have.. I actually know my customers personally! Thanks for touching on a sore nerve 😉 Good Post 🙂
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Often I think those in charge need to take a little time first to get to know their surroundings and the community they will be working with. In this way any changes that are made will be for the good of the place – especially when the community/workers are behind them.
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I think you’re right Colline 🙂
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This is a touchy subject for me, as I still don’t know if my company will be closed down and if I will be left jobless. What inspired you to write this? Are there any changes in your job this year?
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Yes, there are Paula. I have transferred to another school where the principal is unknown (I knew the previous principals). It will be interesting to see how she deals with a staff who have been there long and who are resistant to change.
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So, you will be both new – you and her?
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Yes. Though I know the school well as my children went there, I volunteered there and I supply taught there 🙂
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You will be fine 🙂
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🙂
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When I was in the workforce there was always a load of talk when a new boss was arriving. We would all try to find out as much about them as possible before the big day. But one thing is for sure, most new bosses want to make changes and it’s funny when they make changes thinking they’re doing something new but really reverting back to something a previous boss did that was changed by the last boss (LOL) 😀
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I have also realized that some of the changes they make are to reflect their old place of work. This is not always successful as people and communities are different at every workplace.
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Change can be good. I would be happy to have a new director like that. I hope it was a true story 🙂
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It wasn’t – but it may come true. I will meet the new principal of our school on Monday 🙂
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I hope that teaching in your new school will be a good change for all of you there. It’s a challenging time, exciting too. I love that your vision of it is so positive, that bodes well!
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I try to be positive Juliet. It also helps to overcome the nerves 🙂
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We have three new administrators this school year. All 3 women. Will let you know if the change is good or bad. Is it hard to not have anxiety about uncertainty.
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When so many are new it does cause anxiety, doesn’t it? I wish you the best for the change that is to occur.
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Sounds like a lovely and positive outlook Colline. Great writing once again hon. 😀
My only workplace is my home. I don’t think the ‘fairies’ will enjoy it if there’s someone else bossing them around. hahahaha!
♥ Hugs ♥
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Home is the best place you can have to work – especially if you are happy at home 🙂
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The uncertainty of change always has a tinge of apprehension.
I see it was half truth and half fiction, I hope the change is acceptable to all and is harmonious.
Regards
Ian
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School begins next week and we will see what it brings 🙂
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