Change is one of the most constant yet challenging forces in the professional world. Whether it’s a company restructuring, adopting new technologies, or navigating shifts in market demands, change has a way of spotlighting our insecurities. For many career professionals, this can feel reputation-threatening rather than reputation-lifting.
But why does change trigger such a response?
When faced with the unknown, insecure professionals often fall into a defensive posture. Instead of adapting, they may seek to solidify their status by showcasing their intelligence, striving to appear infallible. As Adam Grant, a psychologist and thought leader, so aptly puts it:
"Insecure people strive to prove their intelligence. They are quick to assure us that they have the answer - they are determined to be right. Secure people aim to improve their intelligence. They're quick to speak up when they have questions - they're focused on getting it right."
This mindset, while understandable, often does more harm than good. When we prioritize appearing right over getting it right, we undermine collaboration, stifle innovation, and, ironically, risk damaging our reputations.
The Reputation Threat of Insecurity During Change
Insecurity during change manifests in ways that can unintentionally harm a professional's reputation:
- Resistance to New Ideas: Clinging to old methods or dismissing new approaches can signal an unwillingness to grow.
- Fear-Based Decision-Making: Avoiding risks or micromanaging teams out of fear can erode trust and morale.
- Defensiveness in Feedback: An inability to accept constructive criticism can make others hesitant to collaborate.
While these behaviors might protect a fragile sense of competence in the short term, they also create a perception of rigidity or fearfulness, which is counterproductive in dynamic environments.
Transforming Insecurity Into Growth
To shift from reputation-threatening to reputation-lifting during change, professionals must embrace a mindset of security and curiosity. Here’s how:
- Ask More Questions: Secure professionals don’t pretend to know everything; they seek understanding. Admitting what you don’t know isn’t a weakness—it’s a mark of maturity and confidence.
- Prioritize Learning Over Being Right: When you focus on improving your skills and knowledge, you signal adaptability and a growth mindset to colleagues and leaders.
- Embrace Feedback: Feedback is a tool, not a threat. Seek it out, reflect on it, and use it to refine your approach.
- Collaborate Openly: Be the person who uplifts others during change. Supporting colleagues fosters trust and a shared sense of purpose.
- Practice Self-Compassion: Change is hard for everyone. Giving yourself grace to learn and grow reduces the fear of failure.
A New Definition of Success
Success in a world of change isn’t about proving you have the answers—it’s about showing you’re willing to find them. It’s about being secure enough to admit, “I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.” This approach not only builds trust but also transforms moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth and innovation.
As I prepare to step into retirement—a major life change—I find myself leaning into this guidance. Letting go of a role I’ve held for decades and stepping into the unknown is both exciting and nerve-wracking. I remind myself daily to embrace curiosity over fear and to view this transition as an opportunity to learn, explore, and grow in new ways. If I’m being honest, I’m preaching to myself too: focusing on getting it right rather than proving I’m ready for this next chapter. It’s humbling but empowering, and I’m learning to trust the process.
As professionals, our reputations are built on how we respond to challenges, not how we avoid them. Change is a chance to demonstrate resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to improvement. Let’s use it to lift ourselves—and our teams—higher.
How do you handle insecurities during times of change? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your strategies in the comments.
Happy Thursday all,
-srt
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