CHANGE

Just reading the word “change” can cause our pulse to race a bit. Some of us avoid it, others seek it, while many balance change with practice and focus.

Our current class studied change during our February session. We learned about navigating personal, leading organizational, and building coalitions to impact community change. There is a reason why we save this lesson for the fifth session: change is hard!

“We normally just want to get out of the change, rather than embracing it,” said one class member in the follow-up survey.

But we can’t get out of it, we can’t run away from it, change is everywhere.

I formerly held a firm belief that people don’t really have the capacity to change. That was before I participated in Leadership Montana seven years ago and had my mind gently pried open to new ways of thinking and behaving.

My opinions may not have changed, but my ability to appreciate another way of thinking certainly has. And it’s with that deeper appreciation that I have found an ability to build meaningful, lasting relationships. Some of my fondest memories from the Class of 2010 involve folks who I wouldn’t have otherwise engaged. Together, we listened and learned how to lead for the sake of the state we treasure. You too?

My hope is that you have found some tools for navigating through your Leadership Montana participation as a class member, and as alumni. If you have a story to share about how you successfully navigated personal, organizational, or community change, I would love to hear it. And if you need some tips on how to effectively lead through change, reach out. We are always here.

I am saying ten random things to cheat the system