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CREATING READINESS FOR CHANGE
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Implementing change demands critical judgments and skills for any leader. Change can be the source of both growth and conflict. Perhaps the greatest challenge in community is getting a group ready for and open to change. To handle change well, communities need a sense of security, a sense of ownership and participation, as well as healthy dynamics. Here are some things to think about in creating readiness for change:
1) Build the Trust Level
Take time to love people and get to know them before you decide what is best for them. Help change to be a conversation rather than a declaration.
2) Inform and Dialogue with the Leaders
Talk over your ideas with people that others see as credible leaders. Hear their concerns and ideas and modify your proposal.
3) Formulate a Concise Proposal
Bring your ideas before a decision making group in a format that can be discussed and amended. If it does not gain consensus and enthusiasm, perhaps implementation should be deferred, and the ideas be developed further and brought back.
4) Allow Differences to be Aired
Create a climate of fairness and openness. Let others present their priorities. In that climate even failed proposals can be valuable catalysts for important conversations and new ideas.
5) Revise the Plan as a Result of the Discussion
6) Test the Idea
Find a testing ground for the idea that does not consume too much energy from the community or generate too much conflict. Listen to the feedback that comes from the testing ground. Incorporate that into the final proposal for change that comes to the community.
7) Avoid Paralysis
Do not let one or two angry or power hungry members hold a veto over community change. Notice and affirm them, invite them into the conversation, help them to learn that their points of view will be taken seriously but they cannot have control.
8) Implement Change with Charity
Do not bully or steamroller others. Loving and fair process of change is more important to any community than any individual leader’s agenda.
Item XXXIV
©2002 Ronald C. Ferris
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