Change

Change is inevitable. Change is unavoidable. Change is for either better or worse.

With many stakeholders talk about Local Agenda 21 since middle of year 2008, I have much hope that changes are forthcoming.

Changes for new approaches in local governance, changes for smarter partnership, changes for more community sustainable initiatives took place on the ground, changes for greater transparency and accountability, changes for having a better quality of life and environment. After a year I saw the light albeit a bright one.

The most important, yet the most difficult change is people's mind set. I saw it remained unchanged, or if yes too little. Changes can only be done if people have no choice but to change for survival or force to. People is too complacent and resist for changes as the uncertainty might disrupt their normal way of life or working. Thereby, to institute a change, perhaps radical actions have to be taken or else the progressive little changes might have to reverse back after a while. For an organisation with many liabilities and branding problem, radical changes are the only solution to wake people up.

It is a matter of choice for the leadership. An effective leader with gut and vision will definitely do this. The line of separation between the leader and manager is always the leadership quality. A Leader embraces changes without fear and favour.

I presume we have a lot to learn.