The Japanese have a term called "kaizen," which means continual improvement. It is a never-ending quest to do better. And you do better by changing. Standing still allows your competitors to get ahead of you.
I guess I'm not afraid of change. I don't understand why others may be resistant to it. Hmmmm, is it the fear of the unknown? I see change as a positive and will always "try it out" before deciding whether it was a good idea or not. My hair is a great example. I was willing to make a change and embraced it.
So, friends, I ask this of you....look toward the positive aspects change can bring to you. Before you judge, take some time and see if the change works. If you're not happy with the change made, then get involved and make some changes yourself.
To prevent yourself or your organization from becoming "stranded on the mudflats of an obsolete ideology", you must become a champion of change.
I'm not sure if this is politically motivated or more on a personal level but I am going to go at it from the personal level.
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While I get what you say and can see where you are coming from, I have to say that I never, ever embrace change. I fight it to the bitter end. I will give things up, walk away rather than change. I like stability. The tried and true. The known. I like to fit in and be accepted and sometimes changing means an end to that in my own mind and then I never fully commit in that type of situation again. It's in my hardwiring - my DNA code. I've been like this my entire life and it's just the way it is. Do I deal with change? I do. But it's a long process and if it isn't worth the effort, I won't do it. Why should I change to make someone else happy? If that person isn't happy about something isn't it more up to them to change *their* perspective, their way of seeing it or their actions?
That said, Dakota is the opposite. :)
So - I will tell you that what I have learned in the 15 years of a relationship with an "embrace the change" person is that not all people like or want change and it should never, ever be forced upon them just for the sake of change alone or because someone else decides it is best, the other persons needs be damned, because this could backfire in a monumental way.
You can suggest change, encourage change but you should never force change. To force is to alienate others.
By all means, share ideas and see how the greater mass responds (hmm...this could tie into the topic if it if is meant to be politically driven as well) but to force change is the same as dictating and no one, no one enjoys being told what to do.
Just my two cents.
Wow. That was long. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm all about change - so I'm with you! We either adapt or get left behind, is my thinking, especially in the world of technology.
ReplyDeleteI agree...I love and crave change! I think change can be good in most cases.
ReplyDeleteWell - ok - let me clarify. IF I am supportive of teh change, then I'm all for it. But I do not like change that is thrust upon me.
ReplyDeleteLet's see - anyone like the change in the economy these days? Yeah no. Me either and it's being thrust upon us without our consent.
Change in the climate? Again, not liking it and it's thrust upon us.
Change in a hairstyle? If I was looking for it then yes, I'm all about embracing the change.
Change in my food bill, gas price, etc.? I had no say so no, I'm not for it.
Someone tellsing me what I have to do without taking my feelings, needs, wants and desires into consideration? Oh honey - that's when I kick and scream and pitch a fit.
So yes, there are times when embracing change is great. And other times when it isn't great - or welcome.
:)
What a great discussion this post started! Casey, I think I understand you and I'm with you. The changes brought about in my life when my son was born... awesome. The changes brought about in my life because work... not so awesome. Change is great when you are stale and are open to it.
ReplyDeleteNice job, T. What a great, thought-provoking blog!