Let‘s talk about change [2]

Change does not necessarily mean doing things that have never been done before [creative or innovative change], but doing things differently to achieve better results [transformative or reformative change]. The whole idea of change is to be positive, constructive and progressive by bringing about visibleimprovement in the situation of a people, organisation or nation. Therefore, for a nation, the essence of change is to ensure good governance that would positively impact on the lives of the citizens.However, not every change is a good change! In other words, not all change is positive! Some changes are cosmetic, symbolic and decorative and can be likened to ‘an old wine in a new bottle’. Every change does not actually translate or amount to doing things better. Some changes do not necessarily engender improvements in the organisation, nation or the lives of the people. Any change that does not bring about improvement but rather a decline in the fortunes of an organization, a people or nation is a travesty and negation of the true concept, realessence and primary purpose of change and amounts to a negative, destructive or retrogressive change.A progressive change must be in sync with contemporary realities and resonate with the feelings, interests, concerns, demands, needs, yearnings, aspirations, and expectations of the vast majority of stakeholders. The hallmark and underliningcharacteristic of a truly positive and progressive change is value addition by way of creating a better approach and finding realistic solutions to existing problems and challenges.Undoubtedly, one of the defining characteristics of the 21st century is the insatiable appetite for change accentuated by continuous, rapid and accelerated globalisation and technological revolution. There is no doubt that change will continue to significantly shape the future of mankind as well as the global political, economic and business atmosphere.

Change is usually underpinned and triggered by a feeling of dissatisfaction, growing discontent, disappointment and disenchantment with the existing order or present situation of things.“And from the discontent of man, the world’s best progress springs” [Ella Wheeler Wilcox]. However, the critical, key determinant to accomplishing or actualizing any change is not merely a feeling of dissatisfaction or discontent but the ability to take pragmatic action to effect the desired change. Change is an action-based activity. The activating ingredient for change is action. A conscious desire to effect necessary changes would have to be accompanied by a strong, resolute action by a people not to remain complacent in their “Comfort Zone”. More often than not, there seems to be a lacuna or missing link between a feeling of dissatisfaction and the actualisation of change. This is so because in most cases people tend to talk about the need for change, but, in the end, do nothing about effecting or bringing about the desired change. Talk, as they say, is cheap.  While groans of discontent and dissatisfaction in existing political order and socio-economic situation are likely to create awareness, stimulate or trigger change, these drivers of change on their own and in themselves do not automatically translate or result into change. What effectively and practically bring about the required change is the action or steps taken to effect and actualize the change. To effect change, you must move from words to action.  Action impacts on change much more than the mere talk or general feeling of dissatisfaction. If you desire change and you are just talking, murmuring,complaining and lamenting [as most people tend to do regarding various national issues on social media platforms] and not taking any concrete action or visible steps to effect or actualise the required change, you may end up merely fantasizing. “He who desires but acts not breeds pestilence” [Malcolm Muggeridge] The mere fact that there is a feeling of dissatisfaction or despondency by people does not necessarily mean that change will automatically follow or naturally occur. The people should not only have the desire, but more importantly take necessary action and concrete steps to effect the required change. For instance, when citizens of a country are dissatisfied with a particular government or state of affairs of the nation and are yearning for a regime change, the desired change may not be achieved through groaning and complaints, but by mobilizing themselves and galvanizing action to vote out an ‘unpopular’ or ‘under-performing’ government and usher in a new regime of their choice. That was exactly what happened in the 2015 general elections, in Nigeria, when the people resolutely voted out the PDP-led government of Goodluck Jonathan and voted in the APC—led Buhari government.

Concluded

KAYODE OLUWA