In today’s philanthropic world managing CHANGE has become a part of our daily norm as leaders. We are each affected by numerous events outside of our control―economic, political, environmental, and human capital are all aspects impacting our ability to achieve our organization’s goals and objectives. It was 2009 when personal circumstances allowed me to look for a new opportunity in my career path
. At that time God opened unexpected doors bringing me from an international non-religious and non-political organization to serve at Southern Adventist University. Little did I know that the day I was planning to resign from my then current job, I would be greeted with a decision the board had taken a few weeks before to terminate my role and restructure the division in which I served. CHANGE! I was already planning on leaving, but this change had a profound impact in my life, my leadership, and my trust in our God. As leaders, how we cope with change speaks volumes to those around us. In my six years of service at Southern there has been plenty of change and even more change ahead. I have never been a big fan of change, so through my 15 years in the labor force I’ve developed some nuggets of wisdom for myself on what to be mindful of when change begins to show its face. Cooperation is needed. Realizing that change doesn’t only affect you, but rather the entire team of the organization, try to find ways to be influential with your supervisors so as the changes happen you can be part of the conversation through a cooperative environment. Another important lesson in cooperation is that you need to bring those downstream from you up through motivation and communications. Remember, “people help to support the things they create,” so as a leader seek ways to share with those downstream inviting them to be a part of the inner circle. Hands-on vs. reactiveness. As President Kennedy once said, “ask not what your country can do for you ― ask what you can do for your country.” So when change appears I tend to grab my entrepreneurial hat and evaluate what I can do differently to assist in the change process. I evaluate expectations for myself and my team through the transition. I seek to provide solutions to our leaders to assist within my sphere of influence, thus allowing me to be proactive and not reactive. Acceptance is not passiveness. There always comes a time for leaders like us when we need to accept the change ahead. The truth is that at many times we may want to fight the change ahead and it’s only through God’s grace that we can find the peace to let it drop. I invite you to read Mark 11:22-25. Once we are able to accept that changes ahead, we are able to move forward in ways that can uplift the kingdom matters. Never give up. The work we are called to be a part of as those who invite others into the joy of philanthropy requires much of our energy and emotion. At times it can feel overwhelming and uncertain, but when this occurs I invite you to seek God and ask him to help you “get reappointed”. Joyce Meyer in her book New Day, New You states, “When you get disappointed, you can always make the decision to get reappointed!” When we seek the Holy Spirit in our daily work, He provides us with our mission, new path, and renewed spirits to overcome our disappointments. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 helps us to remember that it’s not all about us but about what Jesus can do through us. Growth is inevitable. When we give our life, our work, and our praise to God; He will grow us ― for nothing given to Him will remain the same. He provides daily growth and change. I realize that with every change I face and overcome, I will grow stronger in trust, faith, and wisdom through God’s grace. Expectation need to be reviewed. The last nugget I think about when change comes up is what are the expectations of me and my expectations of others. Expectations need to be realistic, tangible, and measurable. Change affects our emotions so we must put them through the filter of the Holy Spirit to ensure they are in line with God’s character. In closing, my prayer for each of us privileged to work in this field is that we will seek God first in all we do. Change, we can count on just like taxes and death, but it’s what we do with that change and how we coop with it that will speak volumes of our character and journey with God. Please don’t let change control your life in an unhealthy manner. Rather take time to self-evaluate and to bring it all to Him. Mohammad Reza Robati. Reza Robati Foundations. (Charity Organization)
President, C.E.O. R.R.F.
