In response to my original comment, "Whether you like it or not, proving
yourself in the current environment is a pre-condition for being taken
seriously when you suggest changes to it," Ron asks some good questions
about the implications for the person involved. My gropings are below.
A. How much individual spirit can survive, or how much co-opting
is=20 necessary to achieve? Can you be a 'part of' but 'separated from'
the=20 boundaries of the environment?
B. How does the environment respond to your transition from
'achiever' to 'change agent'?
C. Should a 'supportive' environment provide for structure, goals,
stability and also welcome change or should the 'change agent' provide
his/her own life-support?
D. Stability breeds complacency. Who has trouble changing behaviours
to meet the consequences of great success or disaster?
== end questions ==
A. The original questions came from a person who was already committed to
being a change agent, and was struggling for ways to be taken seriously.
In my view, as long as he is conscious of the connection between his
current role and his future goal, the risk of 'co-opting' is not big. On
the other hand, he may find that his original viewpooints are legitimately
altered by a deeper or richer understanding of the situation. Is this
co-opting? No, just sound learning. As for the second part of the
question, the whole point is to be a part of the environment. One cannot
easily be an effective change agent from outside, only from inside.
B. The transition from achiever to change agent happens all the time when
people move from individual achiever to mentor and participant in
empowerment relationships. Most companies are familiar with this
transition. This transition in behavior is a powerful way for a good
achiever to multiply their force for effective functioning.
I don't really understand C or D.
--Rol Fessenden LL Bean, Inc. 76234.3636@compuserve.com
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>