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It is important for us to begin by clarifying what we mean
by the word “change.” And to do that, let’s
get rid of some definitions. We are NOT talking about aging,
about variations in the weather, trading one set of clothes
for another, or the currency returned when your purchase does
not cost as much as the money denomination you tendered the
clerk.
When we refer to change, we are talking about the transition
that is intentionally driven, by an individual or group, for
a specific purpose. It is pursued for one of four distinct reasons:
- Immediate Problem
- Anticipated Problem
- Immediate Opportunity
- Anticipated Opportunity
Throughout history individuals and nations have been forced
to face change with varying degrees of intensity. The world
at the present appears headed into a period of rapid change.
As terrorism and technology-driven change (from biotechnology
and computing power to Internet technologies and communications)
manifests itself everywhere, tall mountains and vast oceans
are no longer sufficient barriers for ignoring one another.
These ramifications of globalization are probably more important
in a social and cultural sense than economic – although
we use economic in mind bogglingly broad sense here. In the
public arena, therefore, change is not an option but a necessity.
All public-policy makers, legislative or executive, are leaders
of change. If you don’t like the way potholes in the road
are filled, want different outcomes from educational programs,
or think intelligence collecting and analysis needs improving,
you are a proponent of change. You can either be satisfied to
advocate neat ideas for change or become a skilled leader of
change. The former introduces, launches or installs ideas that
are usually ignored; the latter produces or realizes real results
that make a difference in the lives of citizens.
The Nature of Change, has these characteristics, among others:
- Change will be resisted, even positive change.
- Change is a process, not an event.
- Change is a transition that must destroy one way of doing
or looking at things in order to build its replacement.
- The level of resiliency an individual or group possesses
has a direct impact on how well accommodation of the change
can occur.
- As leaders of public-policy change, what do proponents need
to consider in light of the fundamental Nature of Change?
- Humans are control oriented and anything that threatens
or destroys their expectations (their concept of control)
will be met with resistance.
- To give up the current state of affairs, people have to
understand that remaining in that place will be more expensive
to their personal interest than adopting the new alternative.
- Resistance to change is persistent and kills most efforts
by outlasting the proponents of change.
- Leaders of change must therefore have more commitment to
the change or they will fall victims to resistance manifested
as distractions or other urgencies.
- Leaders of change must understand how to use consequence
management, both positive rewards and negative sanctions or
punishments, and not be afraid to use those tools.
- Understand and identify the natural roles individuals play
within the change process: Sponsor, Agent, Advocate or Target.
Once understood, the leader of public-policy change will engage
the appropriate player at the appropriate time for the appropriate
purpose.
To build agencies or nations more capable of adopting necessary
change, leaders need to give attention to issues related to
resiliency. Resiliency can be defined as the capacity of an
individual or group to recover from disruptions. People who
are positive, focused, flexible, organized and proactive have
more ability to cope with change.
The Public Governance Institute offers practical, engaging
approaches to understanding the nature and process of change.
Through programs of training, coaching, and project-related
application, we stand ready to partner with public-sector leaders
to increase their capacity to meet the needs of their citizenry.
The Institute stands ready to help build your internal expertise,
preparing key individuals and teams to be effective leaders
of public-policy change. Properly managed change produces real
change that meets the imperative needs of modern societies.
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