Resistance To Change and Innovation

             It’s not hard for me to have the narrative of resistance to change going through my mind. I’ve lived through it professionally and personally between family, church, and even social groups such as the men’s softball league I’ve coached in. I have been accused before of being a sentimental person but even I have been willing to part with things in search of a better opportunity or solution. It’s often hard for me to understand why some people are so adamantly opposed to change and refuse to see the good in anything different. That’s why I do see the importance of having patience, perseverance, and faith as a leader. We’re not going to achieve massive change overnight so having the perseverance or resilience to push forward despite the obstacles is important. Faith also plays into perseverance, if we have the faith and vision to believe that what we’re pursuing is worth it, we will be less likely to quit. I saved mentioning patience until now because I think the other two qualities rest on this one. Look at Moses for example. Moses knew the promise land was a guarantee, he had the faith to believe that God would deliver on what he promised. Moses also pushed through countless challenges, including his own stubbornness, and was willing to persevere because he knew Who was fighting for him and with him even in front of a man as powerful as Pharoh. However, Moses ultimately lost the privilege of leading God’s people into the promise land because of his disobedience, disobedience that caused by his anger and lack of patience with the people he was called to lead. If we don’t deal with the emotions, feelings, and frustrations that we will encounter in leadership in a healthy way, the consequences could be catastrophic personally or even organizationally. Being grounded in patience towards others and our circumstances is the starting place for being a successful leader.

            When it comes to fostering accountability and innovation, there are two biblical strategies that come to mind.  In Zechariah 4:10a, it says “do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” I think this is an important thing to remember when it comes to both of these characteristics, but especially innovation. It’s great to talk about results and aim high but even the starting place is important and should not be overlooked. This idea did not sit well with me for a long time, I lived by the motto of “go big or go home”. There are countless projects or opportunities that I’ve given up on or passed up because they weren’t glamorous or important enough in my opinion. I regret many of them today. Everyone and everything have to start somewhere and there should be no shame in that within ministry innovation. Regarding accountability, Micah 6:8 is a verse that I think captures the essence of what we are to accomplish. It says, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”. Accountability starts with justice, everyone being held to the same standard, being rewarded when needed, and facing consequences when they fall short. But, this process of justice is guided by mercy, a realization that sometimes it’s necessary within a ministry to withhold what someone rightly deserves and instead extend to them the grace and mercy that will allow them to have a second chance. Establishing both of these though is humility. Humility to recognize we will fail, humility to make things right when we do, and humility to bear the responsibility of being accountable and holding other accountable. So, in a very roundabout way, we've connected patience and humility as foundational pieces to combatting resistance to change and establishing innovation and accountability within organizational culture.