by Deanna Parkton
While organizational changes are a fact of life in the modern workplace, 2023 and 2024 brought an increase of layoffs and restructures. Adjusting to new leadership can be challenging regardless of the situation, but it can be especially difficult to navigate after a period of layoffs. Here’s how to approach this transition professionally and positively:
- Embrace Change as an Opportunity
It’s common for restructuring to result in new leadership. While change can be unsettling, try to view it as an opportunity for growth and fresh perspectives.
- New leaders often bring innovative ideas and approaches that can reinvigorate a team or organization
- Collaborating with a new leader also provides a clean canvas to cultivate a positive working relationship, opening doors to various future possibilities and opportunities
- Provide Context and Support
New leaders may not have the same historical context as long-standing team members. Instead of resenting this, see it as a chance to support their transition.
- Share important background information about projects and team dynamics
- Offer insights on the team’s strengths individually and collectively to increase opportunities for everyone
- Be patient as they learn about the team’s history and individual members
- Adapting to a Peer’s Promotion
If a former colleague has been promoted to a leadership position, it can feel awkward at first. While you may have opinions and valuable perspectives to offer, also remember that it’s important to be a place of support as they get acquainted with their new role.
- Support their transition by respecting their new position and maintaining professionalism
- Remember that their new role comes with new responsibilities and pressures
- Consider the first 3-6 months an adjustment period with a new relationship dynamic
- Allow for a Grace Period
Taking on a leadership role involves a steep learning curve. In addition to adjusting to their new leadership, they are often juggling multiple challenges:
- Understanding team dynamics
- Learning about individual team members
- Grasping the full scope of ongoing projects
- Adapting to their new responsibilities
Give them time to find their footing. Your patience and support during this period can go a long way in establishing a positive working relationship.
- Foster Unity, Not Division
As a valuable team member, others may look to you to gauge the situation. During leadership transitions, it’s important to promote team cohesion.
- Avoid engaging in or encouraging negative gossip about the new leader
- Focus on how you can contribute to the team’s success under new leadership
- Encourage colleagues to approach the change with an open mind
- Ask Thoughtful Questions
Instead of making assumptions or jumping to conclusions about new decisions or policies, practice open communication. Asking questions in the spirit of curiosity can not only help eliminate confusion and frustration, it can also help you build a connection.
- Ask open-ended questions to understand the reasoning behind changes
- Show your willingness to support new initiatives
- Example: “I saw the email about the new policy change. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. What are your hopes with this new change, and how can I help?”
By approaching new leadership with openness, patience, and a willingness to support, you can turn a potentially stressful transition into an opportunity for professional growth and improved team dynamics. Successful adaptation to new leadership isn’t just about the leader’s abilities—it’s also about how the team responds and supports the transition.
For more ideas on how you can strategize your work, consider working with a career coach. A coach can help you identify strategies to face challenges head on. Check out our executive coaching services and sign up for a free consultation here.
Deanna Parkton is a writer, career coach and educator with a passion for professional development and work wellness and happiness. With a focus on self-reflection, she works with individuals in their quest to reach their career goals as well as satisfaction in work-life balance. You can find more of her writing at workinglivingwell.com and she can be reached at workinglivingwell@gmail.com.