How you can thrive in a transforming workplace

If you're a working professional, chances are you’re experiencing significant change within your organization or even in your own work. Technologies like generative AI are shaking up businesses and careers as we know them.

Feeling cautious, excited, or overwhelmed by all these changes?

You are not alone.

Meet Elena Pienkowski, a leader in our Talent & Organization practice, who shares insider tips on how to get ahead of the curve by exercising the right skills, mindsets, and behaviors.

Continuous change is the new reality

Our new research reveals that 95% of organizations have undergone at least two transformations in the past three years. Moreover, 100% of C-Suite leaders anticipate additional significant changes to their workforce.

Organizations are evolving into dynamic, resilient workplaces capable of outperforming expectations and achieving meaningful results.

This is not just great for companies – it can be great for you, too.

How?

Companies that focus on supporting and embracing change create rewarding employee experiences across six dimensions: financial, emotional and mental, relational, employable, purposeful, and physical. Employees at these companies are twice as likely to feel what we call Net Better Off.

As companies evolve, the way you work will change. But with curiosity, agility, and resilience, you'll thrive.

Prepare for change

As leaders and employees, it’s crucial to adopt a growth mindset and prepare for the changes ahead, no matter what form they may take.

Personally, when I think about navigating change in my own professional journey, some things I have learned during my career at Accenture include:

• Understand before you react: Personally, I’ve found that I need to take the time to fully understand the context and implications of the change. Seek insights from people you trust. As challenging as it may be at times, avoid making snap judgments and gather as much information as possible.
• Give yourself time: It’s ok to feel frustrated with change initially. Allow yourself time to adjust, test and learn in the new scenario.
• Think differently about your work: With new technologies and tools, be flexible not just about the way you work, but with the nature of your work itself. In this era of generative AI, think about how and where you can start working with your digital colleague.
• Communicate clearly: Be articulate in expressing what you need and what you can offer. Clear communication reduces misunderstandings and aligns expectations.
• Build relevant skills: Look for opportunities to develop skills that are critical in the new environment. This could involve formal training or on-the-job learning.
• Stay open and curious: Maintain a constant curiosity about new developments. This mindset will help you adapt more quickly and find opportunities within the changes.

Lead and influence change

Our Change Reinvented research highlights several ways for organizations to become better at managing change. One key recommendation is growing a network of influencers with trusted, authentic voices to help activate change.

If you’re skeptical about the changes occurring in your organization, view this as an opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the transformation and its value. By doing so, you can position yourself as an influencer and role model for the change, both within your organization and beyond.

Seek opportunities to engage others, whether through informal conversations or more formal avenues:

• Become a super user: Build and share your expertise in the new way of working, especially when it comes to adapting to new technologies.
• Volunteer for change advocacy networks: Join a group that facilitates and accelerates the change process.
• Contribute to collaboration forums: Share your thoughts and success stories on internal platforms.

Document your achievements and demonstrate your success as an influencer.

We’re looking for unique skills!

As managing and thriving in change becomes a key requirement for the modern workforce, the qualities we look for in ideal candidates have evolved too. Interpersonal relationship building, problem-solving and analytical capabilities, managing ambiguity, and a deep understanding of the business are now more essential than ever.

Developing these and other emerging skills, along with embracing a proactive approach to change, will not only help you evolve your career but also play a pivotal role in the success of your organization.

Are you ready to embrace change and thrive in a dynamic environment? Explore careers with us.