I don’t like change.
There. I said it. I feel better for having admitted it…but I am strangely disappointed in myself.
I’ve always prided myself on being a change agent. “Let’s do things a new way, don’t limit our options. Let’s think outside of the box.” But when I’m really honest with myself, the bottom line is this: At my core, I don’t like change. I listen to the same 3 stations on XM radio, I have a rotation of about 5 restaurants that I eat at (it doesn’t take me long to order because I know what I like), I’m very familiar with the drive home because it seldom varies, I love TIVO because I never miss my favorite shows. Face it, I am becoming what I complain about in other people (especially when they react poorly to my new ideas). “Becoming” may be the wrong word… maybe I’ve always been this way and just didn’t recognize it or was afraid to admit it.
I don’t like change… but I love an adventure.
Learning something new, going somewhere I haven’t been, discovering a different way of looking at a problem. Those things breath life into me… as long as not much changes.
Weird? I know. Probably need to invest in some counseling. But I’m not sure I’m alone in this disfunction.
That’s why the second simple lesson in negotiating transitional challenges in an organization (after realizing that “Words are really important“) is this:
- Always tie the change to the cause. Some people like change for the sake of change. You might even be one of them. But keep in mind that you are in an extremely small minority. Most people will immediately resist change, but if they can see the “why” they can usually follow you to the “where“. The “why” is the adventure. It’s the payoff behind the change. At Seacoast, we try to tie any change we initiate to the shared cause of transformed lives. Whether that’s a change in music styles, church government, means of outreach, location of ministry, or the name on the sign out front, we tie it to the Jesus mandate to “go and be“. The great adventure. Making a difference in the world.
If there is not a direct line between the change and the cause, I can predict rough water getting from here to there.
Enough for now…it’s time for me to get back to my routine.
Agree/disagree?
I have found that the need for the change to be linked to the cause drastically increases as risk increases. If I'm stepping out on to the water, someone better be getting saved or something.
Comment by Chris Russo — February 11, 2010 @ 7:30 am
Change is great for people who have the time to invest in new ways of doing things. I find that I love change as long as I have the time to adapt. However when my days are full and free time is in short supply I find change to be rather annoying.
Comment by Mike Waters — February 13, 2010 @ 7:09 pm