1. Why is change important in the leadership process? What are the challenges of facilitating change?
Here are a few reasons why I think change is important and the challenges that go along with them:
- There is always a better way to do things. When the previous methods are growing stale, it's okay to adjust them to get better result. Challenge: There is also almost always someone who thinks they have the best way to do something, whether they are suggesting a change or they thought of the existing system and don't want to change it.
- Organizations and systems are constantly changing; so we must change. Team dynamics will altar as time goes on and the members become more familiar with the system and each other. Even our own thought processes and techniques will tweak as we get older. Challege: The changes that can't be avoided, such as social, cultural, political, or business changes, may take more effort to adjust to than other changes.
- If there is no change in an organization, it will become stagnant and boring. Being stuck in the same routine for months, even years on end are no fun at all. Modification can keep the organization fresh and inspire the team members with new ideas for not only the group itself but their goals as well. Challenge: With many new ideas come many disagreements.
- Change stimulates movement. Challenge: As time passes, it's difficult to keep the ball rolling when struggles and complications come against the group and its objectives.
2. What are some reasons why people are resistant to change? How do you typically respond to change?
"Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound." - James Allen, author of As a Man Thinketh
I believe the main reasons why people are resistant to change is because most of the time change is so difficult to go through. Like the color-changing Cuttlefish, they steer clear of the possibility of change like they're the last one standing in the dodge ball game. People spend their entire lives trying to avoid difficulty, so they would naturally be opposed to exposing themselves to it. When people are accustomed to a system's patterns, it takes much convincing to get them to accept a new pattern. Fear of losing control and fear of failure are also main factors in the resistant to change.
Typically, how I respond to change is by turning colors to blend in with my surroundings and avoid predators. Just kidding.
I took change really hard when I was kid. For example, I lived in Nebraska for the first 12 years of my life, so when my parents told me we were moving to Minnesota, I freaked out. I hated Minnesota for a probably a good, solid year before I adjusted to my new reality. Now I see God's sovereign hand in the whole situation and I am so glad we moved to Minnesota, but change was something I loathed and dreaded when I was younger.
Nowadays, I really like change. It means something is moving. It means something is happening. I have found that I hate the idea of being stuck in the same routine in the same place for long periods of time. Also, I trust God abundantly more than I did when I was younger. He knows the path He has laid out for me to walk and all I have to do is follow it. I am SO excited for what He has planned for my life and what He has in mind for us to do and who I'm going to be. Since I've given Him full reign of my life, I have no reason to fear change because I know it's part of His plan.
Well, that's all. I was going to use hermaphroditic fish as my example, but I decided I wanted to keep my blog G-rated. You're welcome.
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| I wish I could do that. Er...change color, I mean. |
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