8.4 Facing challenges
As anyone who has ever tried to change anything knows, there are always challenges along the way.
Often there are unforeseen blockages from those in positions of power or authority. People can hold entrenched attitudes or beliefs that are difficult to shift. There can be unintended consequences of change that weren’t anticipated. And there can be doubts and discomfort that can affect your confidence, and indeed your motivation, as a changemaker.
Knowing how to deal with these challenges – expecting them, and even welcoming them, and all you will learn from them as a result – is a skill to cultivate.
One of the biggest challenges for changemakers is fatigue. Change takes time and there can be setbacks. Achieving a policy change and getting it implemented can take years of effort, as can shifting public attitudes or influencing people’s behaviours. Self-care, collective-care and persistence are key. Fear and feelings of isolation can be overcome through creating hope and solidarity with others. Self-doubt is overcome by believing that you, with others, can really make a difference. There are countless examples of positive change happening, as we have seen in the stories we have shared. Celebrating progress and wins, even if small, is important.
There will be people who will oppose the changes you seek. People may not understand the change you are proposing, some may be scared (or tired) of change, some may have different values and beliefs, and some may share your values but genuinely believe that the changes you are pursuing are not helpful. Making an effort to understand why people may oppose change, and having empathy is important. Some people will however be in opposition to your changes to protect their own power or interests. You can counter this by exposing their vested interests, build a body of compelling evidence for change and work to mobilise others to push back.
Policy makers may believe that the changes and reforms you are advocating are unaffordable, unpopular or are not feasible. In which case, you can highlight the cost of inaction and reach out to those who have expertise and influence on the issue and are sympathetic to your cause to support you. Creating a sense of urgency and outrage at an injustice can help tackle the challenges of inertia and apathy.
Addressing challenges as a changemaker requires courage, determination, persistence and building alliances and a community. Working together and in solidarity can, and does, achieve change.
Evan Wolfson, the Founder and President of the Freedom to Marry movement in the United States, which won a historic and long fought victory in the Supreme Court in 2015, said:
‘Our success in winning the freedom to marry matters because it provides valuable lessons for how to achieve change.
We had many stumbles and missed opportunities, but we got some big things right, crucial elements of our success – notably our combination of a broad movement comprised of many organisations, activists, and stakeholders; a clear strategy we stuck with; and a tenacious central campaign that drove the strategy and leveraged the movement – Freedom to Marry.
Throughout our campaign, we celebrated many wins, but we also pushed through many losses. And with every loss, we reflected, regrouped, and rebounded, never giving up the fight. The losses, as much as the wins, offer lessons for the work ahead.’
Activity 8.3: How have you overcome challenges?
- What are the main blockages and challenges you have faced when making change happen?
- What have you learnt from trying to overcome those challenges in the past?
- What challenges might you face with the change strategy you have developed through this course?
Add your thoughts to the free text box, in the Make Change Happen Plan or in your own notebook.
8.3 Analyse, learn and adapt
