Or so the old adage goes. Except that doesn't quite hold true. Change that makes lives easier is generally more readily accepted than that that doesn't, or is perceived not to. For example, internet shopping, smart phones, on demand streaming services, being able to order food to your door etc. These changes have all been in service to making ever faster paced lives more convenient.
Change without proper explanation as to why it is happening, that is seen as an inconvenience and is not consulted on, usually results in backlash, and it is this kind of change that makes people angry and upset.
Case in point, things like the decision to mow public grass less frequently, either due to the very worthy need to improve biodiversity, or due to a lack of staff availability due to Covid-19.
The reasons scarcely matter to some when they're stuck at home and all they can see when they look out of their window is what appears to them to be a jungle. But nevertheless, it is important that people know why, even if they weren't asked whether they wanted it or not.
For the record, when it comes to decisions based on the need to prioritise essential services during a pandemic, I am 100% behind these, even without consultation, as it is on a needs basis, although it helps to be told if a department is operating at a level of 75% absence...
But when changes are driven by policy change, that is something that absolutely needs to be a discussion; you don't open minds to alternative ways of doing things by doing things to people, you do it by making the case with evidence, emotive appeals and persuasion. Anything less than that risks a backlash that could set back worthy agendas weeks, months, or even years. You need to take people with you if you want your changes to be long term and sustainable.
Those that know me will know that despite actually not being a decision maker about this particular issue, I came in for some grief over it, and consequently took a break from social media channels. Because during a pandemic, the last thing any person needs is people harassing them, spreading lies, and failing to be at all rational about things. And I do get it, people feel more strongly about things when they're living through horrible times, when everything feels out of control, but, we're all living those experiences right now, even those of us trying to do our best to continue to operate as is everything is 'normal'. Elected people are obviously supposed to be challenged but there's a definite line between asking legitimate questions and bullying someone during a global crisis.
Anyway, this isn't about my feelings getting hurt, although in all honesty I'm still not over it. That's what comes of wanting to please people, always wanting to do your best, and having the kind of brain that focuses on the negative feedback rather than the positive stuff that vastly outweighs the rest of the noise.
This is about change, and how it's done. I'm probably one of the people most impatient for change. The status quo sucks in many ways. For people, for the planet, for the environment. But we have to get it right, or we lose the confidence and the support of the people who put us in these positions.
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