“The most effective way to cope with change is to help [to] create it.” Not the words of a 21st-century business strategist, but the thoughts of an IBM executive at a time when computers still filled an entire room. And he had a point. Change is the only constant in an environment where technology, globalisation and a thirst for information combine to challenge our ability to cope, our determination to succeed, and how we manage the conflicting priorities that constitute our everyday lives. How we, as individuals and employers, embrace change can have a direct impact on career or business success.

It is easy to admire success, but human instinct sometimes swaps admiration for envy. We ask “Why have they succeeded?” and “what can I do to enjoy that success?” In search of professional development this line of questioning is vital. But is it enough? What really matters, in today’s fast-paced business environment, is how you manage ever-increasing demands on your time.

Failure to manage, or an inability to cope with, the challenges you face will mean you won’t be able to spot the critical things. It could leave you with more questions: “What opportunities have I missed?” or “How did the organisation not see that coming?” The biggest challenge, then, lies in understanding what matters most and keeping a firm focus on stakeholder and customer needs as well, of course, as personal commitments.

Research suggests that most individuals struggle to juggle their professional and personal lives. The figures suggest that the commitment and motivation is there and, by harnessing this enthusiasm, managers are in a better place to succeed. At the same time, where organisations provide an innovative environment, these same individuals can dedicate time to developing fresh ideas for the good of their employer. That way change doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone and teams will have a better understanding of the positive impact they can make – something that is truly motivational. Better still, individuals will be more inclined to drive change forward and manage it to a successful conclusion.

JO CAUSON, director, marketing and corporate affairs, Chartered Management Institute

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