The economic crisis that revealed itself in September 2008 was sobering for people in all aspects of business. Even if you weren’t part of the big business community, the effects of prestigious establishments failing so dramatically rippled into all corners of the economy. Mismanagement of funds, false reporting of homeowners’ earnings, predatory lending, overly complex financial products that spread the damage of toxic mortgages, undercapitalization, and many other demonstrations of greed, ego, and a problematic value system were splashed across the newspapers daily. It was nearly impossible to believe anyone could escape the deluge of negativity. Every news program, blog, and newspaper was filled with doom and gloom reports about the state of the economy.
This could not have happened if it weren’t for the leaders in these fields having an ego and fear-based mindset that governed their actions and produced devastating results. And when I say “leaders,” I not only mean the top dogs on the chow line, but also people in all levels of management: senior, middle, and departmental. The number of people collaborating on schemes that temporarily created the illusion of wealth, only to cause economic disaster later on, was huge. It’s become time to being leading change in organizations. However, one must look for the answers within themselves first.
You could say you are powerless and therefore not responsible. But I assure you it doesn’t matter what anyone above you on the corporate ladder says. You could be in disagreement with their values and their ideas about the way the company should operate. You could say that if you speak about making changes, no one will listen to you. I understand. I have felt that way, too.
Whatever your situation, however difficult it is to bring everyone together in agreement on your company’s values and plans, here’s the bottom line: You can feel like a powerless victim for as long as you like. You can continue to allow others to decide your fate, your future, and your economic status and stick with the status quo, because you’re afraid of what will happen if you make any moves or to be a pioneer. Or, you can be brave enough to go within and begin to make the changes you need to make inside yourself, to begin the process of healing where you work by changing how you work. Each person plays a pivotal part leading change in organizations today.