Adopting To Change

Weekly viewpoint by Robert Persaud, MBA

 

Changes are inevitable. People are sometimes resistant to changes for various reasons. It is natural for humans to find comfort in what they are accustomed to or know. But the dynamics of the world, always in a state of flux should inform us of the imperatives to welcome and gear ourselves to adjust to these changes.

If we look around there are visible signs of changes in all aspects. People’s lifestyle, the environment, the workplace and how we socialize have all undergone dramatic changes. Reflexively, we adapt and adjust to make full use of the new realities.

Changes can either be good or bad. And how we manage the process of change is important to minimize the consequences or even the fall-out. Books and articles have been written and studies done on riding and managing changes. There are even specialized change experts who operate within the corporate world.

Organisations and businesses invest much energy and resources in managing and organizing changes. We must be conscious of the need to prepare for and even initiate changes in all departments of our life, particularly at the work place.

Guyana as often repeated like a stuck compact disc, is undergoing changes. At the last Elections, nearly every political Party campaigned on a platform of change in many areas. Yes, even the governing PPP/C emphasised heavily the mission to prepare Guyana for changes due to internal and external realities. The theme of the campaign captured the desire for change – a brighter future for all.

In this regard, it would be unexpected to witness changes in the mode, manner and even focus of the work of Government. Just glance at the PPP/C manifesto and one can see the heavy emphasis on changes in approach, emphasis and even programmes of all aspects of national life, particularly economic and social programmes. It must be noted that the emphasis on change is not merely about changing things for change sake. There must be clear and beneficial deliverables which impact positively on the lives of all our people.

As a nation, we must not be resistant to changes. We must welcome and help define and contribute to the process of change. Feelings of insecurity and insecurity unpreparedness must embolden us to embrace the process of change and inspire us to move boldly in that direction.

Guyana in recent times has been spearheading the process of change in terms of governance, accountability and modernization of our physical infrastructure in the context of a small, developing economy faced with natural and man-made challenges.

Even beyond, Guyana has been advancing changes in the international trading and financial architecture. The past week saw much activism on this front by the President in his capacity as Chairman of the IMF/World Bank Boards of Governors. The boldness and even visionary advances by Guyana in pushing for changes going back to calls for not only bi-lateral debt relief but similar facilities from the multi-lateral institutions, have won the country and its leaders many plaudits.

The push for changes in the way multilateral financial institutions deal with developing economies and respond to particular needs is winning the country much support. No doubt, those who are managing in those institutions would at first be skeptical of these changes and may have to be convinced over a long period to coming around to accepting the need for changes. But even in the face of these delays, Guyana did not walk away from or abort its past or current efforts to accept the new challenges caused by changes.

There are many opportunities in changes. Embracing change is not about weakness but should be seen as an act of strength and a positive quality to improve and develop ourselves, communities and country.

I urge our teachers, parents and leaders to always broach the issue of change with a positive attitude as those whom they influence can be more prepared for this. Let us all work towards managing positive changes in our community, workplace and yes, the multi-dimensional impact of globalization. There must not be any stonewalling of changes.

TOP