Adapting to and Learning From, not Embracing, Change
Book Review: Master of Change by Brad Stulberg
I got Master of Change thinking that it would be about change in organizations and that it would be helpful in my work on improving processes. It’s about that but primarily about dealing with change personally. Since organizations are composed of people, how people handle change informs the larger picture; understanding this can help you overcome barriers to change on a larger scale. But individuals are at the center here. I started reading while in the middle of a job search; I was one of the many impacted by a series of tech layoffs at the time. Finding yourself out of a job suddenly is one of those major changes, and Master of Change gave me some tools to navigate this challenge,
Since the author is a coach, it’s not surprising that the book has a lead-from-the-side kind of feel. Historical and scientific details are mixed in with personal stories and stories of people famous and not so; while a theme of the book is how to use action to get past the energy-draining impacts that change can have, Stulberg consistently points out that forced positivity is not the answer to anything. He emphasizes reflection and embracing feelings of sadness and loss, with an understanding that you can move forward.
Each chapter ends with a summary of key points, and the book ends with some key questions to ask and actions to take to help you handle change more effectively.]
At the organizational and personal level, change is constant. Accepting and adapting to it is essential. This is not a book about embracing change per se, though that’s part of it, but acknowledging the inevitability of change, understanding that it’s a path to growth, and accepting that this path forward can also include difficulties, which you need to accept and embrace as well. Master of Change, a quick-to-read and easy-to-review book is worth a look if you want a guide to being more resilient and want to learn how to make the most of the inevitable change around you.