Wednesday, November 18, 2009

One person with a good idea can cause change

"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped" - Robert F. Kennedy

November 18, 2009
A. Gaffar Peang-Meth
Pacific Daily News (Guam)


An inspiring quote by Mahatma Gandhi, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world," makes many feel hopeful, even feel empowered.

If change is inevitable, do we allow the change to emerge without our input, which puts us at risk of being destroyed by it, or do we take action to affect the change we would like to see?

Today, I'd like to write about how to lead change. I'm drawing from bestselling author, entrepreneur and blogger Seth Godin's observations. He has interesting ideas about how to foment change. I think each of us can see things around us that we know are wrong or that could be better. Our instincts tell us we should do something, but we don't. We're busy, someone else will take care of it. This is where Seth Godin comes in: how change occurs. His theory of tribes dovetails nicely with the political socialization model I've written of over the years.

Starting with factories, Godin asserts that the industrial age offered a significant opportunity to create real change. The assembly line, instituted first by Henry Ford, was the catalyst for tremendous social change: Goods were produced faster and with greater efficiency; the wage scale for the skilled workers who manned the line changed their living standard.

As more and more goods were produced, there grew a need to market them. Cultural change began to be sparked by mass media, through which advertising was blasted to the masses. We might have thought we were immune to the cacophony of calls to buy one product over another, or a deluge of things we didn't need; the fact is we all are subject to the subliminal pull of repeated entreaties to buy, buy, buy. And so the marketplace changed our culture.

The nature of tribes

Godin says we now have moved to a larger stage, thanks in part to communications tools, when change -- for good or ill -- is more easily undertaken. We are at a time in history where one person truly can make a difference because of the nature of tribes, says Godin.

He defines a tribe as an association of people with a common interest. Each of us is potentially a member of many tribes. We're members of a church, pagoda, mosque group, we volunteer for Meals on Wheels, we're members of a golf club, a mountain biking group. We work in an office. We teach in a school. Each of these intentional or accidental associations becomes a tribal association of common interest.

Godin says great change, a movement, is created when these tribal circles intersect, overlap, and expand their connectivity to larger numbers of people. This is how momentous change occurs. Godin proposes that one person can galvanize a tribe. Change, he says, comes from leading and connecting people and ideas.

Examples

Godin offers examples of people unknown to most of us who have seen a wrong and worked to right it by gathering like-minded people together behind the same good idea: the San Francisco City ASPCA, which became the first ASPCA affiliate in the world to successfully implement a "no-kill" policy for the animals it sheltered. Led by a single determined individual, the people in the city who cared about animals rallied behind the concept in spite of official opposition, and won. Godin recalls the young man who started a movement that supplies shoes for children who have none; an architect who started a green building movement by communicating with those who have similar interests across the nation. A single person with a good idea who took the lead started movements.

Godin suggests that action can come from each of us asking ourselves three questions: Who are you upsetting? (If you're not upsetting someone, you're not changing the status quo.) Who are you connecting? Who are you leading?

Leaders, he says, challenge the status quo. They have curiosity. They ask questions. They build a culture with small common symbols that give the new tribe an identity. But most importantly, leaders commit. They commit to working to make the change. The tribe that spreads the message promotes the change exponentially, and a movement is created around one good idea. Leaders are charismatic, says Godin, but here's the secret: They are charismatic because they are leaders, because they commit, because they take a good idea and share it and share it and share it again and again and again until it catches fire and ignites a conflagration that changes what had seemed unchangeable.

No action, no result

Which brings us back to Gandhi. "You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing, there will be no result." To hear Godin, an optimist, is to believe that the power to instigate a movement is within the grasp of most of us. Surely the communications tools at our fingertips offer us the opportunity to reach a wide audience -- potential tribe members -- relatively easily. Surely, these same tools can be used for ill as for good, but that's a discussion for another day.

For now, the point is, change is not an abstract. It is not something for someone else to do. It is something you can make happen with a good idea, energy, commitment, and connection to a tribe. Any one of us can become that leader who made a great and positive difference with determination to communicate and implement one good idea. Have the courage to go after your goals rather than feel overwhelmed by them.

As Robert F. Kennedy said, "It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped."

A. Gaffar Peang-Meth, Ph.D., is retired from the University of Guam, where he taught political science for 13 years. Write him at peangmeth@yahoo.com

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you Dr Peang Meth for mentioning about CHANGE. As I mentioned before CHANGE is a natural phenomina in order to adopt and adapt for survival.
Our life changes from stages to stages from the day we were born to the day we all die.
Our environments tree, weather, water, air...etec change due to the affect of mechanical, electrical,chemical, electronical that interact and counteract with elements of life's support such as water, air, soil, heat(fire).

It came to the concept now that a balance of manmade and nature required in order to survive and harmonise ourselve as human race with the nature.

Curbing undisirable CHANGE, Ethics is the key to guide ourselve against our curiosity, for the balance and human growth.

Neang SA

Anonymous said...

The junta overthrown Thaksin that changed to start with.

Anonymous said...

Dear Dr. Peang-Meth,

I strongly believe a process, and always welcome in productive changes and NOT REVOLUTIONIZED CHANGES....in Khmer Society. But those who wish to change Khmer society...in the worst possible ways, at least and chronically speaking that has always been the case for Cambodia. However,what I truly believe that Cambodians NEED to, and MUST change their mentality of which in the way(s)that Khmer Society of infrastructures represent Cambodians and NOT ONLY A CHOSEN FEW! Furthermore, Cambodian Society needs to extract those who are braodly and highly educated and have the mind set of viewing national and international politics in mutual ways...(usually highly educated individual to obtain such skill and believe in Democracy) to lead Cambodia. Abolishing corruption, cronyism,and nepotism are the KEYS for productive changes.....TO BE CONTINUE!

YOUR VIEW DR. Peang-Meth

Anonymous said...

sorry! I meant to say in a process.

Anonymous said...

Hello KI,

You said Vietnam is the crocdile, but what's about Siam?

Red-Ant.

Anonymous said...

In politics, the strongest and most powerful crush and eat the weak .

The political destiny of the weak is to be eaten.

Destiny of the powerful is to eat.
Sad finding but truism.

And nothing has changed since politic exists.

Man continues to be a wolf to man.

It is the law of predators.

Anonymous said...

3:53 AM,

To the West is a tiger, ah Siem, and to the East is a Crocodile, ah Viet. Cong, and in the Middle ah Kwack Hun Sen.

Chos teuk kro peu leung leu klar chole psar police....(Siem....Hun Sen...Viet. Cong) so, who are th poor souls on the run..are..Khmers!

Anonymous said...

4:37 AM,

Good thoughts but I found may flaws in your comment. Logically speaking, does it really meant that winner necessary stronger than the once who did not winner? Is the one who did not win, does it necessary meant "LOOSER" in your opinion,...appearantly "YES" IN YOUR COMMENT? I don't see any logic in your opinion AT ALL!!!that is why, many flaws in your comment! I am waiting for your response before my rebutals!

Anonymous said...

4:37AM

You are still talking about animal instincts, and human can do better than that. Politics is not all about power but growth of individual as well as society on the whole.Power is only access to make that growth happened.

Politics= Poly + tactics= Growth
= Not Power

Likewise, money is only to facitate or access goals successfully, but money alone does not make human happy. It can be compared to oil is used to lubricate the engines, if there is too much of it the pressure is created.

Don't be offended by that otherwise.

Neang SA

Anonymous said...

Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Regime had committed:

Tortures
Brutality
Executions
Massacres
Mass Murder
Genocide
Atrocities
Crimes Against Humanity
Starvations
Slavery
Force Labour
Overwork to Death
Human Abuses
Persecution
Unlawful Detention


Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime had committed:

Attempted Murders
Attempted Murder on Chea Vichea
Attempted Assassinations
Attempted Assassination on Sam Rainsy
Assassinations
Assassinated Journalists
Assassinated Political Opponents
Assassinated Leaders of the Free Trade Union
Assassinated over eighty members of Sam Rainsy Party.

"But as of today, over eighty members of my party have been assassinated. Countless others have been injured, arrested, jailed, or forced to go into hiding or into exile."
Sam Rainsy LIC 31 October 2009 - Cairo, Egypt
  
Executions
Executed members of FUNCINPEC Party
Murders
Murdered Chea Vichea
Murdered Ros Sovannareth
Murdered Hy Vuthy
Murdered Khim Sambo
Murdered Khim Sambo's son 
Murdered members of Sam Rainsy Party.
Murdered activists of Sam Rainsy Party
Murdered Innocent Men
Murdered Innocent Women
Murdered Innocent Children
Killed Innocent Khmer Peoples.
Extrajudicial Execution
Grenade Attack
Terrorism
Drive by Shooting
Brutalities
Police Brutality Against Monks
Police Brutality Against Evictees
Tortures
Intimidations
Death Threats
Threatening
Human Abductions
Human Abuses
Human Rights Abuses
Human Trafficking
Drugs Trafficking
Under Age Child Sex
Corruptions
Bribery
Illegal Arrest
Illegal Mass Evictions
Illegal Land Grabbing
Illegal Firearms
Illegal Logging
Illegal Deforestation
Illegally use of remote detonation on Sokha Helicopter, while Hok Lundy and other military officials were on board.
Illegally Sold State Properties
Illegally Removed Parliamentary Immunity of Parliament Members
Plunder National Resources
Acid Attacks
Turn Cambodia into a Lawless Country.
Oppression
Injustice
Steal Votes
Bring Foreigners from Veitnam to vote in Cambodia for Cambodian People's Party.
Use Dead people's names to vote for Cambodian People's Party.
Disqualified potential Sam Rainsy Party's voters. 
Abuse the Court as a tools for CPP to send political opponents and journalists to jail.
Abuse of Power
Abuse the Laws
Abuse the National Election Committee
Abuse the National Assembly
Violate the Laws
Violate the Constitution
Violate the Paris Accords
Impunity
Persecution
Unlawful Detention
Death in custody.

Under the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime, no criminals that has been committed crimes against journalists, political opponents, leaders of the Free Trade Union, innocent men, women and children have ever been brought to justice.

Anonymous said...

cambodia can learn a lot from the wise and experienced ones. everyone has gotten to start somewhere, somehow!

Anonymous said...

Neang Sa,

You have brought up a very good point!

Anonymous said...

i believe dr peang meant "people must be actor of the change" if you don’t want to be victim of other people acts. Khmer never been actors of their own changes and destiny but barely passive victims of yuon policy and leadership for decades if not centuries. Look like many here still at age of karma of an ill political maneuvers

force your destiny and not waiting for yuon karma or naturel process of change as pet for (yuon)butchers

thanks dr peang

Anonymous said...

Dr. Pean-Meng and Neang Sa,

I truly believe that "CHANGING" can happend and any opend minded individual can achieve such "EXPECTATIONS." However, changes come a process, and a process comes with "EXPECTATIONS" and MANY "ambiguouities". So, how can that invisible person archieve both? and/or tries to find the “Right” Answer CHOICE WITHOUT TOO MUCH OF AMBIGOUITIES!

You and I know and understand that one of the worst aspects in this World is "CHANGE." because of the new adaptabilities as well as new adaptations. How can one adapt to a change yet at the same time, meet all the exspectations..WITHOUT TOO MUCH OF AMBIGOUITIES!
.THIS IS NOT AN EASY TASK BUT IT CAN BE DONE. IF THE LEADERS ARE WILLING ENOUGH TO APPRAOCH THIS CHANGE in a Democratic way. This approach will help Khmer to function well at the national level and earn the respects from international stage.....in so doing, Khmer leaders and Civil Society Councils MUST conduct a "Cambodian Nation Sunshine Policy" that allows Khmer Government and Civil Society Councils to work together as a team....and keep monitoring as to which approach and policy are NOT working and/or less benefit to Cambodian Nation...the Government and Civil Society Councils then can make a decision to abolish it...example: Corruption, Nepotism, and Cronyism....DO THEY PROVIDE ANY BENEFIT AT ALL TO KHMER'S SOCIETY?

Many rooms to rebut in my comment!

Anonymous said...

thanks dr peang

6:33 AM,

I understood Dr. Peang-Meth's scrpt and as well as yours. You said, "I believe dr peang meant "people must be actor of the change" if you don’t want to be victim of other people acts....IF WHAT YOU THINK IS IN FACT THE METHOD OF DR. Peang-Meth's principle questions then the ethical questions come to paly a role in his comment. What I see the derivity of his comment is the "ACTIVE" and NOT "PASSIVE!" THIS SHOULD THUMB UP MY REBUTAL TO YOUR COMMENT! bY the way, your comment is a clece one!

Godd!

Anonymous said...

Neang Sa and Dr. Peang,

Correction: because of the new adaptabilities as well as new expectations.

Anonymous said...

6:51AM

Thank you for allowing me to insert my comment.

We are indeed not living in the perfect world. we can simply guide our act by our consideration objectively on ourselve and others, and our concience, no more no less. Guiding principles would be Logical ideas/thoughts(scientific processes) and realities (circumstantial evidences).

Through Buddhism, we all know that bad deeds(Akosal) and good deeds(Kosal) are the truths, put it simply goods and bads have happened everywhere in the world.
However,refraining ourselve from intrusion, perpetration, invasion ,by adhering to morality and Ethics desirable outcomes will come about.We will thus lead ourselve to peace, not just physical peace but peace of mind.

In fast growing societies, morality and Ethics become a built in component to any size of management.And also respect is a two ways stre,no one can demand for that.

I trust that we all ought to scope ourselve into morality and Ethics for better growth in our society.

Neang SA

Anonymous said...

correction:And also restpect is a two ways street.My apology.

Anonymous said...

Hi Neang Sa,

I can always expect the feasible approaches from you.

Although I understood your approach and the intention of your argument. Please allow to bring about the IP infringment to rebut with your comment which I qoute below.

Bill Gates along with many softwares producers allow their softwares to be infringed by...let says...China, and also allow thier software/program to copied by others.....Bill Gates and other like him awares but decided/chose not to do anything about....Why is that? So, by refraining ourselves from the "intrusion, perpetration, invasion, and because by adhering to morality and Ethics desirable outcomes of peace both physically and mentally?"

Hences: Bacterias are recognizable sources of killing human beings. The death of human beings are the target of these bacterias?

I am looking forward to hearing from you and offering my rebut after your response. I am always welcome the response from Dr. Peang-Meth and others as well.

Thanks,

Anonymous said...

correction: to be copied by

Anonymous said...

added: awares of these activities

John W. Furst said...

That is right. One person can cause a change. You might have seen Seth's latest post, "they want to fit in ...," which relates to your post in a way that organizations avoid hiring heretics and leaders because that is risky. Those indeed could cause big change.

I called my blog post addressing this topic, "Average Marketers Wanted!"

Yours
John

Anonymous said...

7:53AM

Just my brief view in regarding decision made by Bill Gates, is that the issue of intellectual property and trade agreement tha he accepts not to pursue any legal action against copy rights.
Only view as I never have experty on anything .Thank you.

Neang SA

Anonymous said...

Hi Neang Sa,

With respect to our mutual views on "CHANGE." You right! one aspects of a "CHANGE" is by being solidarity to detering all foreigns invasions....Do the current Khmer leaders have the ability nor are they being competent enough to do so. The word "INVASION" has a much braoder senses. We can say, an economic invasion and/or "intrusion....etc." One example, would be China today. As you and I know that China used to be an isolated nation starting from her liberation in 1949 up to perhaps 1980s. Recently, China has joined a WTO, and currently has earned a World stage of being one of the Economic supperpower...even to the point, China own America National Debt. China has allowed foreigners to intrude her soverign land by reason of strengthening her economic entities, and providing stabilities in her own nation and of course with filterations. Bill Gates's softwares/Programs infringement is as an example of China's success!...Bill Gates has turned his blind eyes and pretended that he has "NO" knowledge about infringement ever took place in either China and/or around the Globe..Bill Gates even took further steps to delete the word "Freedom, and Democracy" fro his Software Programs in order to penetrate Chinese' market! Is it a smart move by him? Well, up for discussion, and it is nonetheless, a catch 22 phrase!..because it is Gates' strategies to marketing his products WITHOUT spending a penny from his pocket. So, the "CHANGES" have both PROVIDED profits and AT THE SAME TIME encouraged negative activities....in a civil society. Short sight example, China's economic booming paralleling negative impacts on environment and encourage Global warming. Bill Gates' Software/Programs infringement have encouraged illegal activities such infringement on copy rights and so on so forth! So, new aspect on "CHANGES" with regards to "INVASION AND/OR INTRUSION".

The issue at hand whether the current Khmer Government is knowledgable enough or competent enough to minimize negative impacts ON ENVIRONMENT AND yet, allows the economic "INTRUSION" to wheel forward in order to sustain the viability of Khmer soiciety.

Anonymous said...

AH SIAM MUST DIE DIE DIE!!!!!
I want my Khmer boy life back!!!!!