As the cliche goes: the only thing constant in life is change. We go through it all the time. It is how we grow.  For example, we are not the same person we were yesterday. Nor are we the same person we were an hour ago, a minute ago. We know we must embrace change as part of growth.

In our career, we all go through change like babies go through diapers – sometimes messy and always needed. A lot of changes happen in the course of one’s career: job changes, workload changes, career shifts, role changes, management changes etc. Let’s talk about a change in management – specifically those that we did NOT sign up for.

We spend almost ⅓ of our lives at work and changes at work are among those that have an overly huge impact in our lives. Most of them big changes that in the long run benefit us for the better, while some of  them are changes that are so small, we won’t be able to notice their impact. Some make us really think about the next few chapters in our life. Changes that are so major that they shake, rattle, and affect all aspects of your life. Changes that you do not agree with. For example, what do you do when your new boss is someone you know you can not work with?

First off, you have to look introspectively and be really honest with yourself. Is this a major hurdle to your career? Would it be something that you can work with, something you can manage? What are the reasons why you think this change would not work? Be really specific here. It could be that you do NOT trust this new leader, or you do not think he or she is competent enough. Next, rate your reasons. Is trust an absolute deal breaker or can you work with and around the issues? File your reasons under negotiable and non-negotiable.

If you find that you are willing to give the new leadership a shot (hopefully, not quitting your job trumps your issues with change management) then have a plan in place to help yourself counter the demotivation and gain workplace momentum.

Give change a chance and work more closely with your new boss. Try to understand the way they work and give them insights into the way you work. If you find that they clash, be pragmatic about it. Clashing work styles are not a bad thing – on the contrary, both you and your boss get to see a different perspective, another way of doing things. Take the lessons and leave the conflict.

Make sure that they are on board with your work goals. Tell them early on what you want to achieve and what they can expect from you. In return, let them know what you expect from their leadership, for they too have a responsibility in your career growth. Much like you want to support your boss and your company’s goals, he or she too should be able to support your career goals.

Nothing in any HR manual in the world prohibits you from managing your boss as much as they manage you. So learn how to manage your boss. There is only ONE person who is ultimately responsible for your career – that person is YOU. Until next time: Stay Humble, Hustle Hard. Good luck!

Written by Jaie O. – The Help