Quote:
Originally Posted by wfraser
Anyone else work in a inbred enviroment?
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I think most folks in uniform have from time to time been in that environment.
I have found that what worked best for me is to make sure that what you are wanting done will result in the betterment of the organization and not just make you feel more comfortable about who you are and what you are doing. The easiest way was to look at the stated mission of the organization, analyze what its abilities and shortcoming are in meeting that mission, and what steps could be taken to get to the desired goal. In order to do that you have to look at everything objectively from within the organization as well as those things that impact on it from the outside that the organization cannot control but to which it must react. Now I do not know a whole lot of people that are comfortable with change, especially if it upsets the way that they have been doing business over the years. But you can get folks to change if they feel that it is in their best interest. You need to show them why your suggestions are in their best interest and in the best interest of the department. Saying that they need more training time or time on the range might sound like common sense, but showing them why and how they can get there will give you some credibility in your efforts. You know it might not even be your department that is causing the resistance to change but those above your department. I found, for instance, that the perception of an organization of which I had just assumed command was one that was painted by uninformed folks at echelons above "god" and because of this we were about to be "over supervised". My solution was very simple. I walked into the bosses office, told him what I could do for him and that if he allowed me to do so he would look like a hero to his boss. To back that up I invited him to see for himself what our capabilities were and the rest was easy. I know that this sounds like an over simplification, but resistance to change is more about fear of the unknown by those that are either uneducated/misinformed about the effects of the change or that even change is needed. It also has to do, in some cases, with protection of one's rice bowl while others just feel inadequate in their own competencies to be able to deal with the situation and capabilities that any improvements might bring. Just some thoughts.