Change

“Change is difficult and takes time.” This paraphrased quote from John P. Kotter’s book “Leading Change” has been a go-to statement with my team these last few weeks. Today it was almost as if I was spitting the words out of my mouth - one part reminder, one part encouragement, one part prayer for forgiveness. 

Change can be hard, but it is also unavoidable. To allow oneself to be swept up by it and thrown off balance, is to live in a state of anxiety and resentment, not to mention the general bad attitude one exudes that can be spotted by coworkers twenty paces away. 

It’s difficult not to dismiss the naysayers and feet draggers when by all accounts change is necessary. It’s especially difficult when the excuses given for avoiding the change has everything to do with being married to a particular way of doing something rather than being committed to an outcome. In fundraising, this can be an event, for example, that’s seen a steady decline in fundraised revenue year-over-year along with increased expenses but little is done to remedy the situation because “someone” MIGHT not understand the change and have a difficult time adjusting. 

As fundraisers, we can’t cater to the 5% at the expense of the 95%, otherwise all we’ll be left with is a small group of constituents who find us comfortable and a majority who find us irrelevant. 

Don’t get me wrong, change for change sake is rarely helpful. That said, to avoid change because it is uncomfortable, unknown or just different is to choose to fail. And that’s the point, your organization and fund development strategy must succeed. You work hard to make the maximum impact and sometimes that demands a change. 

To learn more about managing change visit www.doinggooder.com