by Lynn Tipton, FCCMA Executive Director
I’ve always loved this saying: there are problems you manage and problems you solve; the trick is to know the difference. I’m not attributing it to a famous person. There might be an author to acknowledge, I don’t know, but the saying is very true. The example I usually give is that for years I’ve treated my weight as a problem to manage (and haven’t) when I should be treating it as a problem to solve! It is a good lesson.
We just held the 2013 FCCMA symposium in Port Orange (many thanks to Greg Kisela and his team for hosting it!) and the subject was change management. As most of us deal with change hourly, daily and even by the minute, it is always a timely topic. Everyone is challenged with managing changes and helping our teams to manage the changes too. These are situations to manage. They are opportunities not just to be seen as problems. As I listened to the excellent presenters and their recommendations, I was reminded of the saying above. My first approach with change is to determine if it will be permanent, temporary or part of a larger set of changes so that I can time its implementation. After hearing these presenters, I think there are new tools to apply through decision mapping so that I’m not as narrow in my approaches. I’m looking forward to trying out these new (new to me – others probably already knew them!) ideas.
And speaking of managing, as we get close to Thanksgiving, I want to say THANK YOU to our members, the board of directors and committee members for their service. It is easy to overlook the many hours you all donate to our association. I don’t want to overlook your generosity. As with most associations, you will gain from your membership what you contribute. We happen to be richly blessed with many contributors! Please know that you are valued and appreciated by your staff.
