Become a Champion of Change.

One of the great outcomes of being a champion of change is the tremendous feeling of self-empowerment that accompanies it.

Does being on the job ever feel like you are on a raft that is pitching over the rapids? And when this happens, do you feel like you're hanging on for dear life? Don't you wish that the rapids would just dissolve into a slow, babbling brook? Well, many of us frequently feel like this. Not only is change the new status quo, but rapid change (yes, pun intended!) has become more common than ever.

Most of us say that we deal with change. Truthfully, this tends to imply that we do so because we don't have a choice. In today's climate, though, we need to go beyond just coping with change to the point where we are champions of change. For many of us, this will mean the difference between being a casualty and being in charge.

Change can appear as big or as small as your perspective. A bankwide merger may seem like a big deal to some, but may not have a direct impact for others. The introduction of a new department head-a seemingly smaller change on the surface-might actually create more immediate change in your day-to-day work world, Moving your office to a different floor may be more disruptive than an architectural overhaul of the main banking floor.

The marketing department can be an important voice during these times. As bank marketers, we need to anticipate potential changes so that the bank is well positioned both internally and externally. Those who learn how to champion change will also benefit personally, as this is a great leadership trait. This will bode well for you during turbulent and calm times. Here are some tips on how to become a champion of change.

* Communicate brilliantly. During times of turbulent change, if people don't know what's going on, they invent things and the rumor mill goes into overdrive. Given the viral nature of the rumor mill, stick to the facts, not opinions. As a champion of change, it is not up to you to editorialize. You know how the simplest of facts can get distorted. It is even more damaging with opinions.

* Be a positive role model. Your co-workers will appreciate that you are the vision of calm during turbulence. Watch your language, and in particular, your nonverbal cues. Your tone of voice and body language can be even more powerful than the words you speak. Be curious. Look at things with an interested eye and don't express premature opinions.

* know your informal role. You may be marketing director for your bank, but during times of change, your informal role might be different For example, you might be the person who diffuses rumors. Or, your department may become "communication central"-the area that prepares and disseminates information internally.

* Be prepared to take on different work. An executive may ask you to work on a project that has nothing to do with your routine work. It is often in your best interest to willingly participate in these projects. Maintain a great attitude and do your best work in these situations. You never know what new opportunities may arise as a result of working on a special project.

* Anticipate what comes next. Those who are champions of change cultivate the ability to anticipate possible outcomes. Think through the possible outcomes and be prepared to act accordingly. The more you practice this skill, the more you will accurately predict what will happen over time.

One of the great outcomes of being a champion of change is the tremendous feeling of self-empowerment that accompanies it. It is truly powerful to feel "in charge" during change, rather than being a victim of change. So take charge and anticipate! Remember, the degree of turbulence may ebb and flow, but we're going to be on these rapids for the foreseeable future.

Lisa Aldisert is a management consultant, professional speaker and author specializing in strategic planning and performance management.