When you have a business secret that you can't tell clients, or prospects (maybe even your employees) about, but you need to be able to press forward and keep business flowing...
It's a difficult place to be in! Perhaps it is a merger or acquisition, a total career change, a closing of your business or adding a new market segment, partner exit, a location change, team layoffs, etc...
Here are some thoughts on how to get through times of major or minor business change, especially those that require confidentiality:
Acknowledge that it will all work out. Act as if you're not going to fail. Even if things are painful for a little while, you will prevail. Think about your path thus far...some of the best things happened because things changed; they didn't go as expected or as initially conceived. With this mindset, you will approach things differently and will more readily see creative solutions.
Keep interactions positive, professional, friendly, and helpful. In other words, be the best version of yourself in your current role/situation as though you were 100% committed to the expected or old path. Yes, people will be surprised later, but will respect you far more than if you're slacking on your duties, acting erratic, falling apart physically or emotionally, or even just being "weird." The same goes for your employees or partners who are in on the secret; help them be at their best through the situation.
Your concern: This can feel like a deception. Yes, it has an icky factor. However, it is almost always for the best to NOT tell people everything that is going on behind the scenes --because of human nature and assumptions. (I mean, really think about it...) Consider your options for the best outcomes overall. Additionally, you may be bound legally from talking about things, plus it doesn't do any good to stress people out unnecessarily.
A common trap to avoid: Ruminating. Repeatedly playing out scenarios in your imagination that feed your anxiety is harmful to one's physical and mental well-being. It is also wasting time and energy that would be better spent elsewhere. Plus, frankly no one wants to be around someone who is negative or anxious. If your team has fallen prey to frequent rehash conversations, help them process what's happening individually, and get them all to agree to curtail the unproductive chit-chat during work time.
Shift your energy as needed. Do this before you start your workday and/or before important conversations. Get in the habit of lifting yourself up with gratitude for what IS going well. (Ironically, it may help to consider the worst-case scenarios and realize that you won't be living in a box under a bridge!) If you have a team, help them be as happy and productive as possible also. See also: 52 Ways to Stay Positive & Calm When You're Stressed
About this post: Tips for Surviving Huge Shifts and Minor Business Change is written by Heather Legge, moxie coach to business owners.Â