Thinking of a career as a Change Manager? 5 things to consider before you make the leap

So you want to explore a career in change? Do you consider yourself to be a 'people person?' Here are five questions you should reflect on before taking the leap:

1. How resilient are you in the face of adversity? In lots of organisations change is not understood or mature as a function. So it can be a hard slog affecting change, influencing and coaching stakeholders on why you are even in the organisation to begin with. Project Managers may challenge you and your professional guidance may be flat out rejected. So you need to be tough, resilient and measured with your approach. 

2. How empathetic are you? The more you can walk a mile in someone else's shoes the better a change manager you will be. If you are simply wanting to tell people what to do, maybe pursue training or another profession. Having compassion and empathy will ensure you take the right approach when people resist the change.

3. Are you willing to learn about yourself to better understand how to facilitate the change process? It's ironic that the better you are able to reflect on how you process change in your own life, the more it will assist you in being able to understand why others react as they do. This self awareness will serve you well as you coach leaders in how they can better support the change process. If you find you are reactive to change and don't handle it well yourself, then this is not the profession for you. Often uncertainty reigns in the world of change, so unless you are willing and able to push to clarity, save yourself the angst and consider another role. 

4. Are you a person who likes to be in control? While I have met Change Managers who thrive in trying to control everything, the best Change Manager is a fantastic facilitator. Someone who asks the right questions and then puts the supporting structures in place based on the ability to listen well and work with the business effectively. This doesn't mean they are hands off - rather the opposite, they are merely work with the business to put plans into place that the business has designed themselves, and most importantly facilitate the learning process once the change has been embedded.

5. You may enjoy learning about behavioural change but do you have the understanding to create behavioural change? To become an expert you need to be willing to continually invest in your own education in the field of human behaviour and also apply various techniques to continually sharpen your skills. As you grow in your expertise and confidence you broaden into Change leadership. If you are looking for a long term career in change, be prepared to live, breathe and try new things in the world of behavioural change.

Hopefully this has given you some food for thought if you are considering a career in change. Hopefully it has you even more excited than before. A career in Change Management is rewarding, as you get to help the most important assets in an organisation - it's people.