Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By K G Birmingham
Change Part One
I'm thinking about change these days. Partly because I just watched change
"hit the fan." It is always ugly when things go sideways. People get hurt. And
it seems like change is one of the surest ways to hurt people. I have to say
somewhat selfishly (my fallen nature) that I am glad that it was not my fan
that just got hit. But, it still hurts to watch friends struggle.
I am reading Seth Godin's book, Tribes and while the book is about
leadership and human tribalism, its undercurrent is that our world is
constantly changing and it needs people to lead that change. He says,
"People want connection and growth and something new. They want
change." (p.2) I don't disagree with Godin its just if people want change so
badly, why do we have dozens of books and experts and seminars on
managing change and dealing with the aftermath of change. The paradox is
that while we seem to resist change, we have created a society that is
caught in a vortex of constant and rapid change.
We all want change and we all do change and we all benefit from change,
while at the same time we all resist change. I tried to brainstorm why and the
following is a list of words that came to my mind about change:
Pro Change - better, lust, necessity, excitement, pride, different, image,
boredom, improvement
Pro Status Quo - connection, control, memory, continuity, comfort, stability,
constant, known
There is nothing inherently wrong, immoral or unethical with wanting or not
wanting change. Change and Status Quo are morally neutral. Sometimes
change is forced upon us. Sometimes change just feels good. Sometimes it
nice to go back to the old neighbourhood . Sometimes its nice to sing an old
song.
And maybe its not about change at all. After all Solomon wrote, "What has
been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing
new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9 - NIV)
matter how appropriate the change was, if people aren't on board, the
change will fail.
If we fail in the timing, pace, appropriateness, etc. we will fail to get buy-in. If
we fail to get buy-in the change will fail or at the very least become
extremely messy.
Still other types of change is fairly easy to take, because the impact is very
slight, or the results are neutral. There are hundreds of little changes that
take place all of the time, that are either tweaks (a new web interface),
improvements (new and improved Tide), repackaging (just about every
product on a grocery shelf), anticipated (tax hike) or temporarily
inconvenient (road repair). They are not that big and we soon get over them.
Or in the case of tax hikes, we have grown so cynical that we meekly
surrender to the inevitable.
Finally, some changes are easy to take, because they are self initiated. We
like the changes that we are in control of. If I decide to purchase a new car
before my car dies, or a look for a new job before I am fired, or buy a brand
new laptop, or get a new hair style, etc., etc. I am in control and I see the
change as my choice and for my benefit.
These are examples of change that is fairly easy to deal with; however, not
all change is as easy and that is what I am struggling to deal with.
There are lots of books written about how to set up change. How to prepare
influencers and leaders. How to get buy-in. How to create dissatisfaction with
the present and a desire for something new. And if you work the system well
enough, you can move a lot of people in the direction you want them to go.
But, there will be a cost. That is why there are just as many books written on
how to deal with the inevitable conflict that comes with the change, as there
are books on initiating change.
So, "Why change?" Especially, if it is going to create conflict and send people
sideways. And even more so, if the change doesn't appear to be crucial. Is
change inevitable? Or, are there some things that don't have to change, or at
least don't have to change as frequently? Or, do we have to live with the
pain of change?
Maybe, the issue is not the change, but our human weakness. After all,
change is about people, not things. Things don't care. Systems don't have
feelings. Objects are inanimate. Are we managing the wrong side of the
equation? Maybe the problem with change is not the change, but ourselves?
And if so, how do we address it?
No matter what you do - change or not change - you are going to run into
challenges. If you change, the resisters will either: a) stay and fight it, b) stay
and sulk, or c) leave. If you don't change the changers will either: a) stay and
fight it, b) stay and sulk, or c) leave.
I have come to a two part conclusion. The first part is that there is more than
one right way to implement and manage change and secondly that there is
exponentially more than one wrong way to implement and manage change.
If people don't buy-in, they will buy-out, either by leaving, revolting or
sulking. None of those are healthy reactions and it won't matter how
appropriate the change was, if people aren't on board, the change will fail.
There is no change no matter how valid or noble that someone doesn't resist.
The status quo is often preferred over the risk of change.
So, "Why change?"
Well, some change is easy, or at least easier. If the change involves
something really good - a change for the better - then it is not as difficult.
Other types of change is made easier, or at least with less resistance,
because there is absolutely no choice in the matter.
Still other types of change are fairly easy to take, because the impact is very
slight, or the results are neutral.
Finally, some changes are easy to take, because they are self initiated. We
like the changes that we are in control of.
I think the hardest change is the change that doesn't have an apparent
reason. The change that doesn't have buy-in, because those most affected
by the change don't see or understand the reason for the change.
Maybe, the issue is not the change, but our human weakness. After all,
change is about people, not things. Things don't care. Systems don't have
feelings. Objects are inanimate. Are we managing the wrong side of the
equation? Maybe the problem with change is not the change, but ourselves?
And if so, how do we address it?
Okay, now on to the human side . . . next post.
I think God has a viewpoint on this, "And we know that God causes
everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are
called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28 (NLT)
I'm not saying that we roll over and sing "Que Sera Sera . . ." and allow just
anything to happen. There is some true evil at work in this world that does
need to be resisted. However, I can't help but wonder if we create most of
the difficulties that surround change by our knee jerk reactions and we miss
out on the opportunities that come with the change.
If change is inevitable, then why are we trying so hard to push against it?
Maybe instead of managing change, we need to manage ourselves. We need
to manage our attitude, our perspective, our information, our priorities, our
relationships, etc.
We are always either agents of change or subjects of change. When we are
change agents, we need to consider the impact that the change will incur
and deal with the people, not the systems, in helping them through the
change. When we are the subjects of change, then we need to check our own
attitudes and to assist the change agents in understanding the impact of the
change.
I suppose the other thing that is inevitable is the pain. But, pain
management is another topic.