|
Welcome to Econnect Communication’s June 2003 newsletter.
The theme for this month’s newsletter is “Dealing with change”.
This theme reflects the changes about to happen at Econnect Communication, which have recently given us plenty of practice in thinking about and dealing with change, both personal and professional! This change is outlined in more detail below.
You’ll be glad to know that one thing unchanged is the continuation of this monthly newsletter. As usual, we welcome your feedback.
Regards, Econnect Communication Lin Martin, Jenni Metcalfe, Louise Ralph, Michelle Riedlinger
THIS MONTH – JUNE 2003 Dealing with change 1. ECONNECT COMMUNICATION CHANGES 2. REFLECTIONS ON 15 YEARS 3. TIPS FOR DEALING WITH CHANGE 4. COMMUNICATION IN CHANGING TIMES 5. CHANGE: THE SILVER LINING 6. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER 7. CONTACT US 1. ECONNECT COMMUNICATION CHANGESBy Jenni Metcalfe The big change is that my co-director, Lin Martin, will be leaving the business at the end of this financial year. She is doing this to reduce her work load and associated responsibilities and to focus her work part time on new and different projects (see her article below for more info). She’s also planning a move north from Brisbane to the warmth and water of the Sunshine Coast. I expect she’ll continue to have a close connection with Econnect Communication.
Lin’s new contact details after June 30 (until she moves north, when we’ll pass on her new contacts) are shown below in section 7. I’d like to thank Lin for her inspiration, integrity and support over the past 7 years and 7 months that I have worked with her (the last 5 as co-director).
The next change is that our senior writer, Louise Ralph, is about to start her own business which aims to apply her creative skills to projects that she’s particularly interested in (perhaps even that novel) with a greater emphasis in the Arts arena. However, within her new company she will continue to subcontract her skills to Econnect Communication. Initially she will be basing her operations from home, but will be a frequent visitor to our offices. She’ll continue to do Econnect work in the same way she always has – with great skill and dedication! For Econnect work, you can continue to contact her the way you always have, although she won’t always be at the office. Once she has her new business up and running, we’ll send you details of that as well.
I’m sure you’ll agree that both Lin and Louise are showing an enormous amount of courage in pursuing their dreams and will do extremely well!
Econnect Communication will continue to focus its work on making a real difference to the environment/natural resource management/people’s lives. We have built up a base of knowledge and resources that would be difficult to access elsewhere and I’m proud of the achievements we have made. We hope to capitalise further on these in the foreseeable future.
For the next six months, Michelle is concentrating all her efforts on her PhD study of Cooperative Research Centre communication with a particular emphasis on environmental networks (see her article below). As the industry partner of the government SPIRT grant that supports Michelle’s PhD, we’re also looking for how we can apply the outcomes of her research next year. 2. REFLECTIONS ON 15 YEARSBy Lin Martin They say death and taxes are the two things we can be sure of, but change is always with us. Some changes are subtle, like the lines around the eyes - some are a little more dramatic – like me leaving Econnect Communication after 15 years. For me it is a change of focus and pace, I will be concentrating on the heritage/natural area/tourism aspects of environmental communication and working from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Yes, my very own seachange.
I have seen so many changes over the last 15 year in the business of environmental communication – some good, some not. I have seen the rise of an environmental communication industry, with skilled professionals endeavoring to change the world in their own ways – to create debate, enhance participation and to foster proactive responsibilities in managing our environment. It is there, it is happening, but it is still hampered by many things. Parochialism and patch protection are high on the list.
As consultants, we’ve found this tricky to deal with - only those working within the various agencies and organisations can begin to dismantle these. Genuine sharing of resources and collaboration in future communication activities will go a long way towards delivering truly innovative solutions – instead of merely reinventing the wheel, time and again. And that is the real challenge I see for environmental communicators, to make those changes in the ways we work – tear down the silos and build productive, respectful collaborative relationships.
The soon to be established National Foundation for Environmental Education (funded by Environment Australia) can have a key role in creating this change by connecting environmental educators/communicators across Australia, through resources, research and training.
So for all of those I have worked with over the last 15 years, thank you so much for the experience and inspiration. 3. TIPS FOR DEALING WITH CHANGEBy Jenni Metcalfe “We must expect everything,” wrote the Greek Philosopher Seneca a couple of millennia ago. “There is nothing which Fortune does not dare.” We seem to live in a world that is constantly changing, and in some ways becoming more frightening. Not only do personal lives change more frequently than they ever have before, but governments and private organisations also seem to be hopping on to the change bandwagon. And I don’t think change is always necessary. Sometimes organisations appear to create change just for the sake of it (e.g. the various names of government departments!). That said, there is no doubt that change is an inevitable part of our lives and will impact both positively and negatively on individuals, families, organisations and communities.
Here are some tips that have helped me deal with the many changes in my personal and professional life over the past 12 months.
Tip one: Get good adviceMy first tip in dealing with change is to read books that inspire and provide good advice. If you are dealing with organisations or communities facing change, then it is also important to get the best advice about facilitating and supporting that change.
I have just read Anne Deveson’s new book, Resilience, which I would highly recommend. In the frontispiece to the book she says: “Resilience is about facing adversity with hope. We inhabit one world in which we are all deeply connected. I hope for the wisdom and justice which will bring about peace”, (Anne Deveson, 19 March 2003). Tip two: Know what you can influence and what you can’tIt is important to be clear about what change is going to happen regardless of what you do, and what change you can influence. Sometimes, if there’s a choice and lots of other change is happening, it’s better to put down some stable roots rather than taking on more change. Tip three: Think positivelyThe quote above leads me to another tip about the need to think positively about change. Even changes that are forced or not necessary may open up new opportunities (see Louise’s article below). If you’re involved in facilitating change for communities and organisations, this might mean helping them to identify new opportunities. And as Shakespeare said: “There is nothing good or bad only thinking makes it so”. Tip four: Use support networksDeveson’s quote also suggests my fourth tip about the importance of networks and connections. For an individual, this means relying on a network of good friends and family members. For an organisation it might mean supporting colleagues or even formal networks. For a community facing change, it is important that appropriate support is provided to help them accept and implement change. Tip five: Deal with issues or conflictChange often involves tackling particular issues and dealing with conflict. This may involve dealing with difficult people. The two key processes that I have found helpful in such situations are: (1) to build your own self awareness (sometimes with the help of a very close friend/family member) and (2) to try and apply empathy to another’s situation and needs. These are much easier said than done. It is so easy to misinterpret someone – even very good friends - and it is extremely difficult to “walk around in someone else’s shoes” (as Aticus recommended to his children in that wonderful book, To Kill a Mocking Bird). And, I must admit this is something I have to continually work at. Tip six: Be kind and compassionateThis tip arises from another great book I have just started reading by psychologist and practicing Buddhist, Bob Sharples, called: “Meditation: calming the mind”. I am not into Buddhism or meditation, but this book is written without jargon or a particularly religious bent. A lot of it is simple common sense and just thinking (rather than meditating per se) about some of the points raised in the book is very helpful. One of the key points the book makes is that meditation is all about “making friends with one’s self” rather than achieving set tasks. A personal focus on kindness and compassion can be very useful when dealing with the stresses of change. Tip seven: Put things in perspectivePeople dealing with change often blow things out of proportion. This is often in response to the anxiety they are feeling, especially when they have no control over the changes that they are dealing with. I have found it very useful to remind myself during times of change of how good my life is, especially when compared to the trauma that many others experience. If you’re helping others deal with change, you can support them to help put things in perspective. But remember to apply tip six, and acknowledge their drama and trauma, which is very real to them. Tip eight: Knowing when to let goSometimes it’s better for peace of mind to let go of perceptions of what is just and fair in a change process. This may mean letting go of things like fair and just recognition, financial recompense, proper appreciation, etc. But what cost is one’s health and happiness? 4. COMMUNICATION IN CHANGING TIMESBy Michelle Riedlinger Research organisations in Australia are under continual pressure to respond to the changing needs of Australian industries and the community, and none more so than the Cooperative Research Centres Program.
The recent CRCA Conference in Canberra highlighted the importance of maintaining effective communication in these continually evolving organisations. Tips for effective communication during times of change are listed below.
5. CHANGE: THE SILVER LININGBy Louise Ralph
We live in a world where change is constant, relentless. We change relationships, family structures, jobs, careers, how we live and work. Most of us, and certainly our children, will never understand the meaning of working in the same job for 40 years and retiring with a gold watch – which means change must be a good thing!
Companies are constantly restructuring, downsizing, implementing new technologies and procedures, and relocating. Change is threatening because we can't control it. Often we are so overwhelmed with our change-demons that we don't notice the opportunities change presents to us.
Change: - kicks you out of your comfort zone - presents you with challenges that stimulate personal growth - makes you reflect on what's important to you, what you want - gets you looking for ways to improve your capabilities, networks, adaptability - is a great wake-up call – it stops complacency dead in its tracks and means you will be better equipped for change in the future - opens doors you didn't even know existed.
When I was 15, I read some words about change I have never forgotten. The author's name escapes me, but she said something to this effect: For some, stability is the glue that holds their lives together, for others a rut can be so deep it becomes their grave.
Embrace change – there is plenty of time to be still later.
7. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE MONTHLY e-NEWSLETTERSubscribe/unsubscribe: send email to admin@econnect.com.au with “subscribe” or “unsubscribe” in subject line. View past newsletters: http://www.econnect.com.au/news_newsletter.htm 8. CONTACT USEconnect Communication works with science, environment, ecotourism and natural resource management agencies to:
Contact us: phone 07 3846 7111; email admin@econnect.com.au Website: http://www.econnect.com.au New tips: http://www.econnect.com.au/news_qt.htm Lin Martin’s new contact details: lin.martin@bigpond.com.au (as well as the redirected lin@econnect.com.au) and mobile is 0417 711 624 (as before).
Copyright: Econnect Communication Pty Ltd, 2003 Articles in this newsletter can be reproduced if Econnect Communication Pty Ltd is acknowledged as the source
|
