What Hurricane Florence Can Teach Us About Change

As I write this article, Hurricane Florence is lumbering through the Atlantic Ocean, expected to make landfall along the North Carolina coast. I live in the middle part of the state and will probably only see lots of rain and some strong winds, depending on the path of the storm.

The hurricane has been a major topic of conversation for many people this week as they purchase provisions, secure outdoor items, and pontificate the possible path Florence will take. As I have observed this flurry of activity, I’ve seen so many of the principles of change management demonstrated in people’s attitudes and behaviors. They include:

Look for the early signs of change.
People who never look at weather forecasts have been checking them almost hourly to get updates on the hurricane. They want to make sure they don’t miss something. While some changes happen quickly, there is often alot of "handwriting on the wall" that indicates things are going to change. We're just so busy taking care of what's right in front of us that we don't pay attention to them. How much better prepared for change would you and your team be if you “checked the conditions” more often?

Acknowledge that you can’t take everything with you.
News stories have shown people packing up pictures, pets, and other items they deem valuable, while leaving so many other things behind. Trying to move everything would take too much time and endanger their safety. Their behavior demonstrates a principle of change that people so often resist: In times of change, you must determine what you want to hold onto and what you need to let go of.

Recognize the danger of trying to maintain the status quo.
Interstate 40, a major highway in North Carolina, has been packed for the past couple of days as people move away from the storm’s path and seek shelter. There are always a few “adventurous souls” who stay behind, reasoning that things won’t get that bad or that they can outlast the storm. It’s certainly their choice. We see the same behavior in other types of change. People who will do whatever they can to “stay put” and not change their attitudes or behaviors. They are risking so much just to prove a point. Is the status quo really a safe place for any of us to stay for too long in today’s ever-changing world?

Get the right resources.
While in the grocery store earlier this week I found it interesting to observe what people had in their carts. Bread and milk were common items, along with soft drinks, frozen foods, snacks, and water. With the exception of water (and maybe the milk), these types of items are more about comfort than being secure and/or safe. It’s a similar pattern in organizations. They fail to invest enough resources in things like training, talking with those who are on the front line of the change, and adjusting priorities or processes to support the change. It’s not about being comfortable in times of change… it’s about knowing that you and your organization are investing in resources to have a more secure future.

Be willing to adjust your plan as you go through the change.
As Hurricane Florence moves closer to our state, there is new data on the projected path of the storm that means resources will need to be shifted to other areas. The plan that existed on Monday is no longer the best one. Trying to stick to that plan would be foolish because it's based on outdated information. More than once I've seen individuals and organizations begin moving through a change and get so comfortable with their plan that they aren't willing to accept new information that suggests a course correction. If you're going through change, it's important to always have answers to three key questions about your situation so you can make the best choice of action:

• What do you know? (Facts)
• What do you think you know? (Wisdom/Insights/Experience)
• What do you NOT know?

If you're in the path of Hurricane Florence, my prayers are with you. It's in disasters like these that my faith in humanity is always reinforced, whether by the resilience of those who are impacted by it, the courage of those who seek to rescue others in it, or the incredible generosity shown by those who want to help others recover from it.
 

If the storm impacts my area I'll be posting pictures on my social media channels, so if you'd like to check in with me, make sure we are connected on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.