If this past year has taught us anything, it’s that change is the only constant. For many, change can cause paralyzing fear. I am no stranger to change, as it has been the catalyst that has propelled my career.
I spent several years as a branch manager at various banks. Six months after I began my career at Citizens, the organization underwent major shifts. I knew I had a choice to make. I could sit by and passively let the change happen or take action and guide my own fate. I knew I had the knowledge and experience to help educate others on these changes, and I raised my hand for the opportunity. In doing so, it opened one door after another. By pivoting my fear to action, uncertainty to growth, and change to opportunity, my career was propelled from branch manager to SVP, Head of Third-Party Risk Management at Citizens.
If anything is certain, life without change no longer exists. According to the Pew Research Center, over 22 million jobs were lost during the height of the pandemic, and over 71% of the workforce shifted to remote work. Now, many companies are moving toward a hybrid-work model, and while it may still be a while before things return to “normal,” we all must evaluate how we’re going to navigate change in an intentional way. As we look to the future, here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way to harness change as an opportunity for growth.
