Things aren't easy when it involves change. Change has to result to improvements and you cannot inspire people to change if they do not see how these will benefit them. One way or another, change hurts.
In my career journey, I have seen how change destroys comfort zones and how in so many different ways people react. Some leave the company, some opt to stay and sit it out until they find a better opportunity; and some believe in what has to change in an organization. It is not something new that people will hate the new style of leadership, the radical set of regimented rules, or maybe even if there's nothing to hate, the new system will be hated altogether... just because.
As a leader, this will be a big part of going up the corporate ladder. You will be playing the corporate game of Snakes and Ladders- you will find yourself going through a lot of challenges before you can make it to the top. The humps you find along the way are meant to be ran over... slowly. You do not make a full stop at every hump, or else you lose time and effort trying to solve something minute compared to the prize you're eyeing for.
You will eventually know when to choose your battles- if it's worth to address every issue, complaint or ranting against you, your leadership style, the organization you're in. You will have to learn which will be a piece in the puzzle that will fit the picture in the long term. Judgments will always be there, and you will not be able to please everybody- they are not your clones. They are not expected to react the way you would, they are not designed to think the way you do. And most of all, they do not owe you anything- so you should stop fretting about the mud slinging you are in every time they complain.
My piece of advice, yes, you are allowed to hurt, to feel the pain and be human. But do not give anybody the satisfaction of reacting negatively to whatever has been thrown at you. That's exactly the point why this is happening, because change hurts them and by sending out these negative vibes, they want to see how strong or weak of a leader you are. You're worth every minute of their discussion because that's the only way they can gauge what kind of a leader is in front of them- and your reaction will define what they've been wanting to know.
Somebody asked me will you change for them if they tell all sorts of things about you and how you should be behaving- my answer is No. Where then is authenticity? How can you identify yourself if you keep on fitting the mold that everyone wants you to be in? How else can you be different from the people you are expected to lead? Again, my two cents here is continue to do what you are doing- if you believe enough on the vision you've set from the very start, then you will be able to focus on achieving the goal. You alone should have enough faith that you can pull through, that you are introducing change because you believe that it is needed for improvement.
It is just about right to parallel this scenario to playing a chess game. What piece to give up so that you can eventually win the game? In the scenario I've described above, you will have to cut some losses, to gain bigger wins. Wins that you know will benefit the whole organization in the long run, even when you move on. And I repeat, the losses will hurt, it will be painful but it has to happen. Choosing your battles doesn't mean your choice will always be correct. But learning from every experience will make you a stronger person, a leader you are being developed into. Whatever happens, you don't stop. You keep on believing that you have all the good intentions in your heart- and these will bear fruit. As long as you keep the faith.
As a leader, this will be a big part of going up the corporate ladder. You will be playing the corporate game of Snakes and Ladders- you will find yourself going through a lot of challenges before you can make it to the top. The humps you find along the way are meant to be ran over... slowly. You do not make a full stop at every hump, or else you lose time and effort trying to solve something minute compared to the prize you're eyeing for.
You will eventually know when to choose your battles- if it's worth to address every issue, complaint or ranting against you, your leadership style, the organization you're in. You will have to learn which will be a piece in the puzzle that will fit the picture in the long term. Judgments will always be there, and you will not be able to please everybody- they are not your clones. They are not expected to react the way you would, they are not designed to think the way you do. And most of all, they do not owe you anything- so you should stop fretting about the mud slinging you are in every time they complain.
My piece of advice, yes, you are allowed to hurt, to feel the pain and be human. But do not give anybody the satisfaction of reacting negatively to whatever has been thrown at you. That's exactly the point why this is happening, because change hurts them and by sending out these negative vibes, they want to see how strong or weak of a leader you are. You're worth every minute of their discussion because that's the only way they can gauge what kind of a leader is in front of them- and your reaction will define what they've been wanting to know.
It is just about right to parallel this scenario to playing a chess game. What piece to give up so that you can eventually win the game? In the scenario I've described above, you will have to cut some losses, to gain bigger wins. Wins that you know will benefit the whole organization in the long run, even when you move on. And I repeat, the losses will hurt, it will be painful but it has to happen. Choosing your battles doesn't mean your choice will always be correct. But learning from every experience will make you a stronger person, a leader you are being developed into. Whatever happens, you don't stop. You keep on believing that you have all the good intentions in your heart- and these will bear fruit. As long as you keep the faith.
