Change - NO..Should I?..Do I?..Can I? - Yes and I dare
I am motivated to write this blog after I watched a short clip of Priyanka Chopra, former Miss world speaking at the India Today conclave at New Delhi yesterday. Infact the debate and discussions revolved around "Challenges of Change" and day 2 had some powerful, impressive speakers from all over the world. The reason I mention Priyanka is because she reminded me of a sensational Apple computers ad and I was delighted to watch & read it again;
"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits, the rebels, the trouble makers, the round pegs in square holes, the ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules and they have no respect for Status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or villify them. But the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward.And while some may see them as the crazy ones, We see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."
From the time it dawned on me on that "Change" is the only thing that is "Constant", I have dared to beat the common mindset. Parents, friends, managers, motivational speakers, books have all played a crucial role in dealing with change. Here are two examples:
Senator Michael O. Leavitt, the former US Secretary of state for Health was visiting India in Jan 2008 and I had the opportunity to attend a conference hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) about the "Changes in Healthcare". He concluded his 10 minute speech saying.."Change is inevitable. You can resist and suffer (or) You can accept and live with it, or You can adapt quickly and LEAD". I coninue to share these words in many of my training programs today.
I am a fan of Marcus Buckingham and his book - First break all the Rules. When it gets to changing others, I cant think of better story than what Marcus quotes in his book. Long time ago, there lived a scorpion on the banks of a river. He wanted to get across to the other side, however he could not swim and sought the help of a frog who was nearby. The idea was to ferry him to the other side on the Frog's back. The frog rejected the idea saying "you will sting me". The Scorpion managed to convince the frog that if he did sting, he would drown too. Understanding it was a safe bet, the frog took the scorpion on his back. Mid-way, an agonizing & painful sting is what the frog got from the scorpion. He turned back and shouted.. "Why did you do it? Both of us will die now". The reply from the scorpion was simple: "That's my nature". Remember, people dont change so easily even by themselves, so don't attempt it. If they need to, they will have to dare to.
