Debby Hopkins, Citi's Chief Innovation Officer, shares guidance on embracing change in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding when leading discussions about change. She encourages leaders to make a clear case for change and to consider team members' perspectives, especially those resistant to new directions. For individuals feeling stuck, she suggests seeking inspiration from different experiences and pursuing opportunities for involvement in task forces to showcase their skills.

1. HOW TO
EMBRACE
CHANGE
AT WORK
BROUGHT TO YOU BY

2. Meet Debby Hopkins!
As Citi’s Chief Innovation Officer and
CEO of Citi Ventures, Debby Hopkins
has made a career out of championing
innovation. She meets regularly with
venture-capital firms, start-up
companies and entrepreneurs, and is
constantly inspired by their willingness
to break from the norm and try entirely
new approaches. Whether it pertains to
an entire corporation, a small company
or an individual worker, she understands
firsthand both how rewarding and how
daunting change can be.

3. Debby recently answered questions from
members of Connect: Professional
Women’s Network. Here’s some of her
most popular advice on how to effect
change in the workplace.

4. As a leader, how should I broach the subject of change with my
staff? Leading through change is a critical skill set for leaders to
acquire. You may have just seen the light of where you need to go.
You’re excited and want to get everyone following right away. DON’T.
Drop, stop and get them in the boat. You must make the case for
change.

5. What’s the key to getting my team on board with a new
direction? Help the team understand why your view of
change is necessary, and point to the opportunities the
change will create.

6. “Driving change demands that you
never approach it from an arrogant
stance; it requires empathy.”

7. How do I deal with team members who are resistant to changes
we’re trying to implement? Some will say you’re crazy. Bizarrely, many
times I’ve found converting these people is doable. They have passion;
if you get them, they’ll become major advocates. It’s the ones with
their arms folded on the sidelines who can kill any change effort. Seek
them out. Some will join. Some may need to follow a new role. But
taking this time is a must-do.

8. I know that I need change, but I feel like I’ve hit a wall. Any
advice? When you’re in a rut, go do something different. Go to a
museum, walk someplace new, get some air, look for new
inspiration. Our friends at P&G have a saying: “If you want to do
something different, you have to DO something different!”

9. “Emphasize the benefits your
team will gain when the changes
are successfully implemented.”

10. I’d like to change my role at work so I could use my skills
more. Any ideas? Look for opportunities where task forces are
being put together to tackle challenges. It’s an amazing way to
demonstrate your broader skills and can provide significant
access to a wider group of leaders in the company.

11. Our company has made some significant changes. Do you
have advice for how to get our audience on board? Walk in
their shoes. You have to spend time understanding where
they’re coming from. Then design your argument to make it
relevant from their perspective, not yours.

12. Change can be frustrating. Any advice for sticking it out?
Change and innovation require stamina and resilience. You will
get knocked down. But think about why. Keep adjusting your
approach to try and make the case for change stronger, more
relevant for the audience, and provide ways for them to step in.

13. “Innovation is only mastered
by jumping in and doing it.”

14. JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
LinkedIn and Citi’s Connect: Professional Women’s Network is an online
community with more than 350,000 members that helps women achieve the
careers they want and discuss the issues relevant to their success. Visit
linkedin.com/womenconnect for more information and to join the group!
For more great insights on implementing change in the workplace, check out
Debby Hopkins’ live chat in Connect.
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