Mention the word public service and the words “change” and “transformation” is bound to crop up. Yes, there are loads of articles out there that talks about the need to change but what does change really entail?
Let me use an analogy here. Let’s go back to primary school science and discuss about caterpillars and butterflies. Caterpillars have a good life. All they do each day is to eat and sleep, eat and sleep. Isn’t that wonderful?Then one day, someone comes along and tells the caterpillars that it is time to learn to fly. How would the caterpillars react? I’m sure they will start screaming at the top of their voice that its a crazy idea, fear will begin to drown them and many others will say that life is good, why change?
But nature has its way, and soon, the caterpillars through no choice of their own, begin this journey of metamorphosis, transforming itself into a beautiful butterfly. That journey in itself is not an easy one, even the process of breaking out of its protective casing takes much time and effort.
Now, given a choice, why would public officers want to change? Life has always been good for them. A secure job, a monthly income…and…and…there’s always tomorrow to finish the work.
There is a need for change agents to truly understand the psychology behind this change management. Rather than “force” people to change, let us bring them on a journey of transformation. Let us embrace the challenges to truly transform individuals before we start talking about changing the whole public sector. Systems, processes, frameworks, IT, etc. might look impressive in the change process but it is this “software”, the person behind all these “hardware” that will make a truly special public service.