Thanks to B. Vick, Technical Librarian, United States Government Accountability Office, for this article: Essential Components of Change. I think it is a perfect Friday post. This article was originally published in the 2009 Best Practices for Government Librarians: Change: Managing It, Surviving It, Thriving on It. The 2009 edition includes 60 articles and other submissions provided by more than 50 contributors from librarians in government agencies, courts, and the military, as well as from professional association leaders, LexisNexis Consultants, and more.
Read on...
Transitioning into a new position is a process that takes time, energy and a certain level of commitment. It can be stressful but it doesn’t have to be. With the right state of mind and proper planning, anyone can successfully manage change.
Why Listen to Me?
I’ve been there. I’m there now! As a new addition to the Technical Library at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), I know all too well the benefits and challenges of transition. Taking on a new position not only generates feelings of excitement, but also anxiety. Navigating within a new organizational structure, with its own unique procedures and protocols, is no easy task. Gaining an understanding of the role and responsibilities of a new position, while attempting to build professional yet personal working relationships with new colleagues and clients, can be a struggle. Sometimes you may wonder, like I do, whether you are up to the challenge. It is at these times that I remind myself that as a trained librarian, I have all the tools I need to meet these challenges head on.
What is My Action Plan?
After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I worked as an industrial engineer at an automotive company based in Detroit. Months after joining the organization, I felt as though I was lagging behind in some way. In my opinion, it was taking longer than it should for me to get a handle on my specific responsibilities and job tasks. It was then that I realized the need for a written plan of action. The plan would provide a basic outline of the steps I would need to follow in order to minimize the learning curve associated with coming into any new position. The action plan I developed is called “Keep C.A.L.M”. The name is a reminder to me that I should always:
- Conduct one on one interviews with coworkers to learn their best practices and incorporate those practices into my own
- Actively participate in internal training and also seek out external training opportunities whether instructor led or self-guided
- Lead by example; take initiative by volunteering to participate in projects that broaden exposure to the organization
- Maintain an open mind in regards to the ever-changing needs of my work environment
As professionals, and more importantly as human beings, change is something we need to embrace and use as a tool to propel us forward towards our goals. There are many forms of change and because of that, we must revisit and at times alter the tools we develop to manage that change. As time moves forward, I’m sure that my own action plan will need to be revised but so far my plan to Keep C.A.L.M has served me well.
________________________________________The statements and opinions expressed in the above article are solely those of the author. They do not, in any way, constitute a policy or endorsement by the United States Government Accountability Office.
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