The Product Management Soapbox - Change in Modern Times

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Change in Modern Times

Posted by Peter P.C. Dobson, Nexbridge Inc., 10-Jan-2000

Creating An Environment That Welcomes Change

How many times have you heard or read the following expression:

"In this modern day and age we must adapt to change"

This expression is being used more and more to rationalize or justify all sorts of activities from the sensible to the patently ludicrous, in all aspects of our lives. I have several issues with the statement itself, its use (or I would say misuse) and the implications when properly analyzed.

Firstly, what is this entity so many people call this modern day and age? Are we to assume that contemporaries tens, hundreds or indeed thousands of years ago recognized that they were living in an old fashioned or ancient day and age? Did Julius Caesar, the Pharos, Henry VIII or even Einstein say to themselves (or write to others) "We do not have to worry about change because we live in an ancient or mediaeval day and age?"

Secondly, the idea that previous generations could prosper and progress without adapting to change is an example of a patently ludicrous idea. People, species, nations and empires have all been subject to the pressures of change and the need to adapt or fade (or ultimately perish).

Lastly, the statement implies that because change happens so rapidly these days, we cannot "get away with" not adapting as was possible in previous times. In response to this, I contend that we could never get away with it.

Having dispensed with the idea that it is only recently that we have had the pressures of adapting to change, it leaves me with having to come to, what is actually a quite uncomfortable, conclusion. We are not suddenly faced with this situation; it's always been there. It is my contention that not only is it possible to cope with change and become "change agile", but also to create an environment that welcomes change. We can recognize it as providing the intellectual challenges we need and that change is, in fact, the vehicle that allows us to progress and prosper as individuals and as a group.