It is often said that change is the only constant in life and yet many people are predisposed to resist change because of the risk associated with the unknown. Despite this resistance, change is more important than ever in a world that is fast changing through its economic, demographic and social developments. 

In today's society the pace of change is immensely faster, and it will only continue to accelerate. Organisations and people that do not embrace change are bound to lose ground and stagnate. The late British Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson warned that he who rejects change is the architect of decay. He went on to say that "the only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery."

Positive change has been at the heart of Labour's hard work for the last decade or so for acquiring the people's trust in great style almost three years ago. It further explains Dr Muscat's speech last Sunday and what it led to during the week, particularly at Friday's AGM. Some may think that re-wording a few lines is only a cosmetic change. It is indeed a clear indication of the further inclusivity of all possible and potential resources, not only to safeguard and enhance recent achievements but also to explore fresh ideas for moving ahead in the midst of a fast-changing and more demanding society.

 

Change is Labour's mark

The 2013 electoral manifesto was in itself a great team effort to offer new, alternative ways for the country to change its habits and move out of decades of stagnation and laissez faire. But no amount of change is an end unto itself and new ways need to be adopted throughout everything to secure the best updated pace to meet the country's demands. We do not speak in terms of needs but rather in terms of demands, as we strive to serve the country in everything that it deserves and not just requires.  

The Prime Minister's thoughts a week ago went further than the immediate party structures and, in fact, reflected the government's intentions to move ahead after its initial period of successful economic consolidation. 

Gone are the days when people rested on their laurels, awaiting rounds of applause for what had been done and delivered. People are constantly expecting those they elect to think ahead and pre-empt whatever paths the country may tread. The very idea of belonging to a movement necessarily distances all of us from being static, but implies incessant updating and changing as basic essentials in our way ahead. Change is not a matter of chance, it is a personal and collective disposition to recognise that there are better ways to deliver more efficiently. Change is an attitude that prompts each one of us to be a driver for change; as wisely advised by the great Mahatma Ghandi: be the change that you wish to see in the world.

Updating our tasks

As for my remit as Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing, the concept of change and updating has been a constant throughout my first 22 months in office. I do not consider my work among the elderly and those with disability as a traditional way of showing mercy or veneration towards those who may appreciate a certain amount of empathy. However beneficial that attitude might have been in the past, we mean to change and update our tasks. Together with my collaborators, I am constantly inspired and guided by the basic principle of delivering what people expect and deserve, particularly that we not only provide care but encourage them to consider themselves a full and vivid part of the whole community. I believe in the empowerment of people not as passive recipients of help but rather as protagonists of their own agenda.

While others may have found solace in cheap colourful speeches and promotional slogans, I have demonstrated my commitment through solid action, after consultations with all stakeholders and diligent planning with experts. Taking initiatives requires attentive listening and taking stock of all that is available to meet the demand. Demands can change very frequently, hence our preparedness to change our methodology in delivering what is expected. It all boils down to careful planning to ensure that the change process is started and managed by the right people at the right time. Managing change allows us to include specific tasks and events that are appropriate for each stage of the change process itself.

While remaining loyal to the basic principles of building a fair society, I consider change management as ensuring that customers, suppliers and other stakeholders understand and support the change process. It is precisely with this in mind that I emphasise the importance of training as an ongoing process among our staff. While already knowledgeable through hands-on experience, they will better prepared when they are equipped with updated attitudes and methods at all levels of service.

 

Training is updating

It is also for this purpose that I insist on giving the highest possible professional training, including accreditation with the academic levels of university studies. I trust that this kind of change in training helps our staff to own the service they provide and offers them more job satisfaction that will eventually be evident in the quality of services provided to older people.

Change is a planned and managed process. It implies progress and updates of ideas and attitudes. The benefits of any change are known before implementation because they stem from the diligent reading of trends. They also serve as motivators and contemporaneously an assessment of progress, because all the departments in my Secretariat can respond faster to customer demands and help align existing resources at every level.

This can be better experienced in each pilot project we have launched during the past two years. These projects are intended to launch an innovative line of service and I truly admire the enthusiasm shown by everyone concerned in monitoring their outcome. Notwithstanding the innovative nature of each of such pilot projects, I have scarcely noticed any trepidation among those who actually work with our clients and who basically carry out the service we have planned so meticulously for weeks and months on end. It shows that they too embrace the challenge of change and act as true agents of change. 

 

Innovative projects

In real terms, this creates an opportunity for the development of best practices, leadership skills and team development. Our workers' enthusiasm demonstrates that another benefit of change management is that it minimises resistance to change. This has been amply apparent following our transformation of St Vincent de Paule into a long-term care facility, the changing of day-care centres into places for learning, reforming services to empower the service-providers themselves enabling them to chose - over and above the setting of national strategies and standards, both for the elderly and for people with disabilities.

The concept of change creates the necessary energy for us to think outside the box and come up with a solution for whatever is we are expected to do. It rejuvenates our methods and structures to meet renewed challenges. This is our way forward!