In just one generation the guiding principle of corporate America has dramatically shifted. Our parents worked in firms seeking the stability of predictable earnings growth. In the past many markets were closed or undeveloped so this goal could be achieved by strategically growing a business targeting under served segments.

Today, however, we are faced with a business landscape in which the rules have changed. Workers are highly mobile. Communication is instantaneous. Competition is intensified on a global basis. Many markets are mature.

What is the impact on company cultures? According to Rosabeth Mosskanter, a Harvard Business School professor, successful companies develop “a culture that just keeps moving all the time.” We can especially relate to this working in high tech.

More importantly, however, is how we as managers and individual contributors can adapt to and manage all of the changes we are faced with—new products, processes, productivity technology, managers, acquisitions, mergers, and the list goes on. First, we must assess the specific change in terms of:

• Scale—how much of our organization is affected?
• Magnitude—how significant of a change to the status quo is this?
• Duration—how long will it take us to implement a plan to manage the change?
• Strategic importance—how important is this change to our enterprise?

Once we assess the change, there are several tactics, based on our experience, we recommend to empower you when an aspect of your corporate paradigm has shifted:

Embrace change; don’t resist it. Your attitude is essential to addressing change successfully, for the more you fight the change, the more difficult it will become.
Manage your own change integration process. Pro-actively seek answers to your questions. Your quest for knowledge will propel you into a position of being a change leader.
Position yourself as an expert. Provide your team members and management with your well-reasoned recommendations and lessons learned.
Open your ears. Listen and learn from others.
Work to develop or enhance key relationships. When an organization shifts, often you will have new leaders and team members. Get to know them. Form strong working relationships.
Evaluate and re-evaluate your tactics and strategies because they may likely evolve as the change unfolds.
Resist forming snap judgments. Systematically approach change with an open mind.

The bottom line is we are required today to manage and lead smarter. The old adage change is the only constant has never been truer than in our business environment today. The success, and security, of our careers depend on our flexibility to master the dynamics of change.