Navigating Change as a Professional — Tools for Today
by Paige Edwards-Werhan
Change in higher education is no longer episodic — it’s constant.
As the Chronicle of Higher Education recently noted, institutions are facing consistent change within society’s shifting dynamics. Whether you’re a department chair, academic advisor, athletics coordinator, or development officer, navigating change effectively is now a core professional skill.
So, how do we stay grounded and adaptive?
Here are a few practical strategies:
- Name the Change: Clarity reduces anxiety. Take time to define what’s changing and why, especially for your team.
- Map the Impact: Ask, “Who does this affect? What systems are touched?” Thinking holistically helps avoid blind spots.
- Build Micro-Commitments: Instead of waiting for full buy-in, invite small steps — pilot a new process, test a new tool, launch a survey.
- Stay Curious: Change often triggers defensiveness. Replace “Why are we doing this?” with “What can I learn from this?”
For those looking to deepen their skills, we recommend the on-demand training Nano Tips to Thrive in Uncertainty and Embrace Change with Shadé Zahrai. Available through Workday Learning, it’s self-paced and packed with tools for both people-leaders and individual contributors.
If you prefer hands-on learning, join Learning and Development (L&D) for an in-person workshop, Navigating Change as a Professional, on Tuesday, Oct. 28. You’ll explore the stages of change, roles people play, and how to prepare yourself and others to respond with resilience.
Change isn’t easy, but with the right mindset and tools it can be a catalyst for growth. Let’s navigate it together.
Continue your professional development with L&D:
- Visit us online.
- Register for our classes through Workday Learning.
Questions? Contact our professional staff:
Bill Gentry, Director of the PDC and Learning & Development
Paige Edwards-Werhan, Assistant Director, Learning & Development
Missy Campbell, Manager, Learning & Development