Change-Is Resistance Futile?

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I know this is such a cliché title and perhaps the die hard Trekkie fans may only understand it. Here are the two key words to explain it, Borg and the Federation. The Borg were determined to make change on their terms no matter what got in their way and the Federation resisted this and hence the common expression the Borg would make is : Resistance is Futile.

We approach each day where words like change, shift, new, revolution, generation seem common in daily conversation, blogs, news etc. There is no doubt that change is here and that a major shift in how daily business operations are accomplished is necessary due to the impact of things like social media and new generations of incoming employees and residents. In general most of us by nature resist change and the main reason behind that is the delivery method. If the Borg approach is used and change is forced on us, we automatically resist. If change is delivered in a palatable way, with gradual implementation and education that is conducive to our personal way of adapting, then the transition is much easier. My experience at the IREM Georgia Social Media workshop will illustrate this.

At one of the roundtable workgroups I was with, one of the ladies asked me a point blank question. She asked, “Should I go and purchase the XYZ for Dummies book to help me learn this?” My response to her was an automatic one purely based on my personal way of educating myself. I told her to go to this site and this blog and search here….but then she stopped me halfway in my comments and said : “You don’t understand, I need to have a book in front of me, so I can read along and then apply it on my computer. I like to underline key points and make notes in the margins…..” My internal tune changed immediately and I told her : “Maam, that is a great way to learn and by all means go and buy the book and go to town!” This wonderful lady was not resistant to change but was resistant to my suggested way of achieving it. Once she could see approval and validation, there was a smile and she was able to learn many new things that day.

So there it is folks. That little experience reminded me of the human element when educating change. There are those who are taking a strong and active lead in broadcasting and educating the multifamily industry in the changes and shifts that are taking place and this is fantastic. As we individually make steps forward in educating our teams what do you think is the best way to deliver this kind of education?

Written by Jonathan Saar