Case 21 Change

*Discuss: Who, in your opinion, is better prepared to handle the dramatic changes most experts claim will occur in the future, Ingrid or Darla?
**Is there a better strategy?
***Expand your understanding? Interview two or more supervisors (or employees who have been working several years) to determine their views about how they have dealt with plateau periods.
***Then research the topic of career plateaus and offer several ideas for both Ingrid and Darla to “expand’ their thinking about the approaches they are taking for career success.
***Include in your list of ideas such factors as ways to keep up with change and the role of education and training.

“I hate change.”

In a company-sponsored seminar on how to handle and adjust to
change, Ingrid made this statement to the group: “When it comes to
the future and the changes it may bring, I believe that hard work and
good ethics plus sound human-relations techniques will see me
through. If my present superiors do not recognize and reward me, then
someone else will.”

The following response came from Darla, a coworker and good
friend of Ingrid’s: “I think it is commendable for Ingrid to have so
much faith in hard work and human-relations skills, but I think that
adapting to change requires a more aggressive and creative approach.
Ingrid, with her somewhat naive attitude, may be left behind. It has
been my practice to try to turn change into opportunity through
action. When a change occurs, I sit back for a day or so and figure out
how I can use the change to my advantage and enhance my career. At
such a critical juncture, I cannot rely on past performance and routine
human relations. I must shift gears and look out for number one, even
if it means temporarily stepping on the feelings of others. When
change comes, it is not business as usual. I cannot prevent or control
change, but if I am clever, I can turn it to my advantage.”

A. Discuss: Who, in your opinion, is better prepared to handle the
dramatic changes most experts claim will occur in the future,
Ingrid or Darla? Is there a better strategy?

B. Expand Your Understanding: Interview two or more supervisors (or
employees who have been working several years) to determine their
views about how they have dealt with plateau periods. Then re-
search the topic of career plateaus and offer several ideas for both
Ingrid and Darla to “expand” their thinking about the approaches
they are taking for career success. Include in your list of ideas such
factors as ways to keep up with change and the role of education
and training.

Last Updated on February 10, 2019

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