Coping with Change

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Coping with Change
NIACT Guest Lecture Michael Williams
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Attitudes to Change

• Many have a natural aversion to change
• Doing something new
• Dwelling on what we will lose
• Feeling alone
• Fear changes will become too much
• I dont have what it takes
• Biblical principles dont change

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The Necessity for Change

• Development, improvement and growth in anything
  necessitates change
• Spiritual growth to maturity requires change
• Professional development and improvement requires
  change

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The Prerequisites of Change

• Opportunity
• New materials or resources
• New beliefs or understanding
• New behaviours or practices
• Motivation
• I want to change
• I need to change
• I must change

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The Implications of Change

• Changes that are
• Poorly thought out
• Too broad and ambitious
• Too fast for people to cope
• Poorly resourced
• Without long-term commitment

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The Implications (continued)

• Changes that
• Have key staff not involved
• Have students not involved
• Have parents kept at a distance
• Have leaders who are too controlling/ineffectual
• Are pursued in isolation

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The Implications (continued)

• Teachers who are
• Uncertain of what is expected of them
• Fearful of what might be around the corner
• Isolated from positive team spirit
• Feeling inadequate and demoralised
• Either obsessed by work or cynical and withdrawn

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A Positive Attitude to Change

• Neh 2-4
• Shared goals
• Responsibility for success
• Collegiality
• Continuous improvement
• Lifelong learning

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A Positive Attitude (contd.)

• Risk taking
• Support
• Mutual respect
• Openness
• Celebration and humour

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Coping with Change

• Who you are and how you relate to people is more
  important than what you do
• Find the right balance between work and life
• Respond, rather than react, to change
• Do not allow anger, fear, bitterness rob you of
  contentment and peace
• Draw strength from Gods word