Being an Instrument for Change
Change is a risk. This is what a learn from all the experiences I had. Although not everyone desires to take risks, change itself is inevitable and necessary for improvement of oneself and the society in general. In the process of initiating change, there are individuals who act as change agents that facilitates, hastens and ensures the changes that are needed to be done.
In my previous experiences, I have acted as a change agent but not all the time, the outcomes and perception are the same. In this blogpost, I would sum up in the simplest way possible the different faces of being an instrument for change.
Change is necessary, but people either opposes or neglects it.
I remember one meeting I attended and unexpectedly presided, when I was supposed to discuss and justify the necessary change for the organization I worked for. I was quite prepared for the reasons for change. However, what I was not prepared was when the my older colleagues started hurling personal attacks against my intention why I wanted to initiate change. It was an unfortunate event I will never forget. My conscience is clear that the change I stood for on that time was necessary, even though I gained enemies and critics who wanted to pull me down.
Change is ethically justifiable, but outcome is uncertain.
There are times when we know what we are doing is right, but we are not quite sure of the eventualities in the future. This is more usual in situations when the decisions and events are beyond one's control. For example, when I wanted to contribute for Filipinos to get nursing license in Norway, I devoted so much time and effort for it. I have engaged myself in seemingly unending and demanding research; but in reality, I am not certain how my work will be perceived on whether people agree with it or not. More importantly, there is no way for me to infer how Norwegian authorities would react to it. I can only hope for the best, believing simultaneously that my part was fulfilled upon doing my ethical obligation to my fellow Filipino health care professional.
Change is not perceived for people thinks there is no need for improvement.
In change, salience is important. Salience is the general perception of the people affected by a problem requiring change. Before, I worked in an educational company with many things to address. From how they deliver education to advertisement, there seems to be a better way of doing things to make it efficient. However, the status quo seems to work as expected. So even there is apparent need to change, the outcomes do not warrant the change. However, the risk increases when the time comes when the change becomes inevitable. Hence, the earlier people recognizes the need to initiate change, the better.
Change is not easy, but people are willing to work on it.
As a teacher myself, I wanted the best for my students. However, I realized student habits have changed through time; such that academic school performance improvement becomes harder to begin, maintain and meet. Although most students are willing for the change, they somehow lack the enthusiasm to pursue a step-by-step process, requiring patience and determination. Indeed, willingness is indeed insufficient to roll out change.
Change must be done, but affects many negatively.
This is a complex situation for change for the common good, but individually the said change brings disadvantages more than benefits creates the dilemma. This is illustrated when a company needs to alter the way it does its business or invest more to satisfy the service recipient creates a problem, when the employees' workload increases at the same time. It is even worse, when the change entails sacrifices of either losing benefits or decreased salary and opportunities.
No matter what type of change is needed it is important to embrace the need for it. As the saying goes, the only constant thing in this world is change. It is then essential for everyone to be vigilant and sensitive for change, and passionately and persistently work towards the change, regardless of the outcomes and effects it bring to either oneself or others.
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