Change is in the Air

Thanks to Ryan and Raise the Hammer for posting my thoughts on the Lizard Brain and resisting change.

The LRT debate is not the only place that I am encountering this kind of resistance these days – it's everywhere. At work, in our communities, at all levels of Government, at our schools – every day there are people around you who are resisting change that you, and people who see the world the way you do, agree is absolutely necessary. In a lot of cases - this is good. Necessary checks and balances on our system. Reckless, unfettered change is just as bad as stagnation.

The crux of the matter stems from a basic division in world views. It has been said that there are two types of people: Those who feel the need to divide the world into two types, and those who don't. I am definitely in the former camp.

In my world, the most meaningful distinctions is: Hunters and Farmers.

Hunters, are for the most part impulsive, make quick decisions, are very comfortable with risk and change, but have short attention spans, and not a lot of staying power. Traditionally their job was to sit around much of the time, and then when people started to get hungry, go out and get dinner. Often alone, or in small groups, and in a state of hyper-awareness (which we would now call 'easily distracted') they would pounce on any sudden movement and deliver a quick, decisive and lethal blow. Then they would drag the carcass back to camp for someone else to deal with. In a primitive society before farming, everything depended on the Hunter's ability to think quickly, adapt to change, and make instant – good – decisions.

Farmers, are for the most part patient, 'in-it-for-the-long-haul' kind of people. Traditionally their job was to make balanced decisions about seeds, sow them cautiously, and patiently care for the shoots and plants until dutifully harvesting.the crops. This way everyone could be assured food. With the diminished role of hunters in our primitive society – everything hung on the Farmer's ability to be cautious, patient, and do what has worked before.

Seeing the pattern yet?

So with that in mind, I – a bona fide, dyed-in-the-wool Hunter, present the two types of change resistance that you are likely to encounter. Think of it as a public service announcement that applies to everything from recalcitrant set-in-their-ways Primary school Principals, to local NIMBY groups opposing...oh...say...a downtown LRT.

The two ways of resisting change:
When change is proposed, say things like “That would never work in our town/business/school because things are different here. People would never 'use florescent lightbulbs/abandon their cars/donate their time/etc.' It would just never work in our context.” This is the adult equivalent of a kid putting their hands over their ears and loudly saying “la-la-la-la-la” Sometimes this works, but if the change is being mandated from above – it doesn't always work.

The other wasy is to, once the change is inevitable, attempt to gain control over the change itself. To try and micromanage and control every facet of the proposed changes in an effort to minimize any effect. The main tool for doing this is to demand perfection – or absolute fairness – or that nobody be even slightly negatively affected by the changes being suggested.

This is of course impossible. If you understand change, then you understand Robespierre's famous assertion that “If you want to make an Omelette, you've got to break a few eggs.” The reality is, that with any change, there are winners, and losers – that is the nature of change. The question , then, is do the benefits outweigh the costs? Is it enough of an improvement to enough people – and is it a significantly small enough impact to a small enough group of people? More importantly, who decides?

In the end, it's a process that decides. A process of push and pull, of resistors trying to protect those that they feel will be hurt, and the change agents trying to create a benefit for those who would be helped.

Keep in mind, though, that Farmers have the upper hand in resisting change. They are patient, careful, and consistent in everything they do. The change-loving Hunters tend to be impulsive, make inappropriate remarks that derail the process, and give up easily when they don't see quick results.

Keep this in mind if you are advocating change of any kind. The more eager you are for change, the more likely the fight is to take longer than you are initially willing to commit. Choose your battles carefully, 'cause you're in it for the long haul.