Do Not Be A Change Agent

Do Not Be A Change Agent

Some people are just not cut out for it.  Or probably better put, we are not always the best person for the job. Recently the interior, public spaces in our condo building got a "refresh".   New paint, carpet, lights, etc.  When we were notified the changes were going to be made, the new look that these areas were going to take on were described as "fresh" and "contemporary".  I was invited to take a peek at color samples and such but since I am not an interior designer, I opted to pass.  Plus, I don't own a unit in the building (we rent) so I really didn't have a dog in the fight.   The irony is that as the paint and carpet went in, it was apparent to my wife and I that the changes made were very familiar and hardly contemporary --or at least in the way we think of that style.  Being a young couple, I feel we have a pretty good feel for what the going trends in design at least look like, even if I couldn't recreate it.  The final result is a older dated look was replaced with another older dated look.  Honestly, it doesn't bother us, but it gave me reason to pause and ponder something.

Why wasn't the place "updated" or why wasn't the transformation successful?  Sometimes taking initiative and stepping up isn't enough.  We see this everywhere in our communities.  Change, for the sake of change, wont necessarily create a renewed energy.  People wont suddenly look at their neighborhood differently.  Over at Strong Towns they would even go so far as to tell you not to spend a dime unless you are really, really sure the result will be productive.

Don't be a change agent unless you are willing and knowledgeable enough to make the necessary changes.  And that is perfectly fine if you are not that person.  Make it your goal to find someone that is better suited for the task and put them in a position of power.  Hand them the keys and let their creative juices drive you somewhere you never would have thought of or were too scared to go.   I wont be naive and say that you should hire a bunch of young people.  A lot of companies have successfully used that model but it isn't the only solution.  The key is to be able to reflect upon your own strengths and weaknesses and be confident in them enough that you can see where you could use the help.  Now go hire or promote someone who can help you make the changes you have always wanted to make but never could seem to put together.