So many individuals are threatened or intimidated by newly-emerging trends, technologies or ideas. It is almost as if every prospective change were an enemy army surrounding their homes and laying siege to the potentially vulnerable (and breachable) sanctuary of their safety.
Others see these changes as opportunities for learning, developing new skills, or of utilizing new tools. These latter types of individuals are regarded by some of the former types as "too easily persuaded," "fickle followers," "unstable and not well-grounded" or, most coldly (and occasionally enviously, I suspect), as "opportunistic."
No great entrepreneur, philosopher, artist or agent of creative or constructive change has every emerged from the first group of individuals. They tend to be middle managers, trust-fund beneficiaries, entrenched aristocracy or haters. Their fear of change is actually based upon a much deeper fear of a loss of their own utility, their own power, their control over other people and resources -- and sometimes a fear of being unable to master a new set of skills... an insecurity based upon how they will be perceived by themselves (through the mirrors of their own egos) or to others if they must begin again, stumbling and falling -- trying and failing.
Yes. There are demons among the diamonds, and diamonds among the demons in both camps.
I hold certain basic principles sacred and cling to them tenaciously -- they are an immutable part of the very definition of my character; but I have learned (reluctantly) that I must be open-minded to the challenge of change, and to not be as fearful as I am curious. I am a converted Luddite and technophobe - I have converted myself, despite many false starts, setbacks and much embarrassment, into a student. My coffin of comfort had become a crypt. I was becoming old too fast.
An eagerness to learn, and to apply what I have learned, have possibly saved my life.
Perhaps it bears repeating: "We must either learn to surf, or be crushed by the tsunami."
Part of the process of living, of being vibrantly alive, requires challenge, motion, growth, failure and success. And it requires listening and learning as well as speaking and preaching.
Douglas E Castle, Chairman, TNNWC Management Consulting Services
http://InfoSphereBusinessAlerts.blogspot.com
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