Day 8: 28 June 2008
This is the last day.
Managing Change
Peter Gottlieb opened with a discussion of change. He identified two kinds of change: incremental and crisis. Then he discussed his own crisis of change, having to do with a simultaneous change in the culture of the Wisconsin Historical Society along with a huge fiscal crisis, which together created a perfect storm of crisis change. The details he gave of the story highlighted how difficult managing change can be. One important point he made was that he made sure to inform people about what was going on throughout this crisis. He noted that sharing information always helps organizations, even thought it reduces one’s choices for action.
He described the roles of a leader regarding change as to increase staff’s capacity to adapt to change and to give hope and inspiration to staff. He then quoted from the film, The Shawshank Redemption: “Hope is a good think, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” He ended by urging us to make time and space for grieving and to encourage the heart to deal with change.
Change Management
Next up was Fynnette Eaton, talking about change management. She discussed dealing with resistance to change, the obstacles to change management and its goals, and the hallmarks of effective change—but I want to focus on what she opened with: the phases of transition. She claimed these phases were ending (which is often seen as a loss and a goodbye), followed by the neutral zone (a chaotic time where no-one knows quite what is going on, and ending with a beginning (the new chapter). She noted, as I will now, that the beginning is the last part, which I found a valuable point to stress.
An Ending
Today was a short day, which was a relief, as everyone was tired. We had worn ourselves out by now, and we needed not a rest but a bit of coasting. We spent our last session evaluating the institute and suggesting changes for next year, and we wish those who follow us much luck.
Lunch
A few of our classmates had to leave before lunch, but most of us stayed, leaving piecemeal from this last meal together. As each of us left, we waved and hugged and said goodbye and noted that we’d be together again sometime. And so we might. Only time—and we know this—will tell.
We have plans for those of us who will be there to meet at SAA in San Francisco this August, and we will soon be working on a little change management project of our own, as we band together to move forward with our plans for ourselves and the profession.
Sometime this week I hope to post a few ending thoughts on the institute, not by recounting what happened during our week together but by considering it and evaluating it.
Thought for the Day
An old saying of mine appropriate for the day: Change is good, but folding money is better.
archivity furthers
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