Organisational change is a funny old thing. I’d heard about it previously, but always been part of the cavalry that came in to save the day and be greeted with sighs of relief from those that had already ridden the storm. Battle-scarred and exhausted, the incumbent team would view my unjaded eyes and natural sense of optimism as a breath of fresh air. Then as a blended team, we would move forward into the brave new world infused with hope.
by Catherine Farrell
However, as a public sector comms professional, I couldn’t avoid the wind of change forever and my time adrift in the epicentre of uncertainty eventually came last year. Reductions of two thirds in my specific area of working (national NHS tech and data) led to a temporary displacement and I found myself in the midst of a dizzying array of informal chats and interviews as I tried to find a home within the new structure.
Riding the waves
Rejection despite continued success in my role was a bitter pill to swallow, and self-doubt was a frequent visitor. A leaving card from a previous workplace became a friendly beacon in the metaphorical darkness. A sailing enthusiast CEO who was a brilliant mentor in the time I worked with her had written some well wishes for the future inside.
Inspiring as these have also been, it’s the cover design that has come into its own over time - a simple line drawing of a sailing boat surrounded by storm clouds with a tiny crew adjusting the front sail.
Below it lie the immortal words ‘You cannot direct the wind but you can adjust the sails’
It sits on a shelf beside a waste piece of metal from the restoration of Flying Scotsman that was given to me still warm from the machinery used to remove it. That restoration took its time, but the dedicated team got there in the end. However, it took perseverance and grit in the face of numerous setbacks to finally get to the finish line.
So, I hung on in there and looked at what I could take from the situation - the experience of a restructure at long last.
Grow your crew
I wasn’t the only one set adrift and a support network with similarly affected colleagues was one from which we all drew strength. Veterans of past restructures could give their views and those currently at the helm were encouraged to reassure on a regular basis.
Steering the ship
There was a lot of help available so I took up the offer of professional advice wherever I could find it. As well as independent career guidance, I spoke to colleagues in comms teams across the organisation and associated areas to try and identify opportunities. Having supported the delivery complex national tech projects revolutionising the NHS for 4 plus years, what could I learn more about?
I also took up the offer of interview training and it led to a lightbulb moment.
I’m a collaborator. Bright yellow on the Margerison McCann wheel and EN on Myers-Brigg I love to build and work alongside a team - and it shows. Ask me a question and I will naturally talk about what we made happen as a group because I am excited about what we have achieved by working together.
On the training webinar, examples of the perfect answer all began and ended with I.
I looked at previous interview feedback and the phrase ‘Unsure of personal involvement’ when talking about a project I lived and breathed leapt out at me.
I had to work out a way to put the I back into Team.
Although the Team achieved, I had to make my role as leader and enabler clear.
So, in every informal chat and interview from that point on I owned it. The treacherous ‘we’ made a break for it once, but I soon lassoed it into line.
An exciting new role in a regional primary care transformation team was soon the reward and I made a vow to pass on what I had learned.
Top tips for weathering the storm
So here it is – my somewhat nautical advice on how to anchor yourself through the storm of organisational change.
1) Ask for feedback and learn how you should adjust your sails
2) Do any available training which will help you to plot a course
3) Talk to your network, meet old sailors, and hopefully form a bigger crew
4) Own your achievements, let people know how you steered a ship. Reflect on the things that went well as well as those that didn’t - if you had gone off course, how would you have got back on track?
5) Consider an alternative course. Although I stayed in comms, other colleagues jumped ship to start a new career journey in areas such as project management or relationship management.
This is very much my personal experience of navigating my way through a restructure, but I hope it is helpful to anyone else working their own way through change in their organisation. Batten down the hatches and hang on tight, it might be a rocky ride, but soon you will be sailing in clear blue waters, and possibly a much larger crew on board than before.
Catherine Farrell is a communications and engagement project manager for NHS England – North-East and Yorkshire. You can say hello on Twitter at @catherinefarr18
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