Change is inevitable. We start changing from the moment we are born and continue to do so. The world around us changes, both predictably and unpredictably. Change often occurs in ways over which we have no control e.g. Hurricanes, Floods and Travel Disruption. The impact of a change of job can be huge, positive or negative or both.
When experiencing change we can decide to see the possibilities that lie within and we have a choice in the way we respond to change.
EXAMPLE OF “CHANGE IS A PART OF LIVING”
A tankerman is informed by his wife that she is expecting a child. They were recently married and decided to purchase a house upon news that he was accepted into the company’s steersman program. However, they were not expecting to have a child so soon. There are many predictable feelings that could arouse from such a scenario such as:
NEGATIVE
- The new steersman will never be able to focus on his training with a new baby on the way.
- The wife will never be able to cope with the pregnancy with her husband working a 20/10 schedule.
- The wife will never be able to handle being married to a boat Captain and raising a kid with her husband working a 2/ schedule.
- The couple will never be able to afford a new house and a new baby while the new steersman works through the program.
POSITIVE
- This is just the motivation the steersman needs to get him to the next level.
- The steersman requests a schedule change to 14/7 so that he is not gone for as long per work hitch.
- They start planning their budget to afford a housekeeper once a week to assist the wife back home while the steersman is on the boat.
- They pull together with other family members to help out during the pregnancy and once the baby is born.
The couple will be accountable for the way they respond to this scenario either way. They have a choice, though. This is what we need to remember. We may not have an influence over change, but we can influence how we react to it.
Not only will the way they choose to react to this life changing event affect them. It will affect their family, friends and coworkers. Perhaps the stressors stimulated by the negative way of thinking about this scenario causes the steersman to become careless while on the job which causes an incident? It is important to be aware of changes and remain vigilant about safety.
FACILITATORS:
- Print out the RESILIENCE Feedback Form by Clicking the following link. At the end of the discussions, write the name of the attendees on the form, note any feedback provided by the group on the form and send the form into the office. RESILIENCE SIGN-IN AND FEEDBACK FORM
- Use the Facilitator Guide as a template for conducting a meeting with your crew basis Module 4 – “Change is a Part of Living” Click the following Link to view and print the Facilitator Guide. RESILIENCE MODULE 4 – FACILITATOR GUIDE
- Click the following link to view and print the Participant Guide for Module 4 – “Change is a Part of Living” Print one guide per participant for them to use during the discussion and keep for later reference. RESILIENCE MODULE 4 – PARTICIPANT GUIDE
- DON’T FORGET TO TURN THE RESILIENCE FEEDBACK FORM TO THE OFFICE.
Thank you for your participation!