| All organizations deal in some way or the | | | | before it got to Amchitka, the journey |
| other with change. A government is to follow | | | | sparked a flurry of public interest. The US |
| the changes that take place in the world and | | | | still detonated the bomb, but the voice of |
| that affect its citizens. A company also | | | | reason had been heard. Nuclear testing on |
| follows most of the time changes in the same | | | | Amchitka ended that same year, and the island |
| way by canalizing the effects of different | | | | was later declared a bird sanctuary. ( spirit |
| causes. A third category of companies | | | | of the time we live in are quite different |
| (institutions) however deal with change in a | | | | than those in the seventies and much of these |
| different way; they are more in the lead of | | | | alterations have influenced this |
| change. They could be pictured as change | | | | organization. Yet another change is the |
| leaders; empowering others to move into a new | | | | growth of the institution itself.Today, |
| direction.Sometimes things just | | | | Greenpeace is an international organization |
| happen...Unless there is someone who | | | | that prioritizes global environmental |
| interferes -- the intervention as it is | | | | campaigns. Based in Amsterdam, the |
| called in change management terminology -- | | | | Netherlands, Greenpeace has 2.8 million |
| with development that might need some | | | | supporters worldwide, and national as well as |
| (serious) attention. Awareness to start with. | | | | regional offices in 41 countries.And this is |
| Recently Greenpeace signaled the massive | | | | common practice for nearly most of the |
| constructional development on the Spanish | | | | organizations; when they grow their style |
| coasts.All of us who deal with change can | | | | will change. If we remember Greenpeace in the |
| learn from organization like Greenpeace that | | | | beginning its style was predominant "against" |
| are to deal with resistance all the time.The | | | | and confrontational leading to an increase of |
| style of Greenpeace is influenced by thoughts | | | | resistance that did undermine its guest for |
| of Margaret Mead: | | | | change. |
| | | | |
| "Never doubt that a small group of | | | | Today -- where the organization has its own |
| thoughtful, committed citizens can change the | | | | research institution and presence in 41 |
| world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever | | | | countries, it has moved into the direction of |
| has."Greenpeace itself has also dealt with | | | | helping and supporting; this is less |
| change over the years. Those who have | | | | innovative than in the seventies but much |
| followed this organization will remember | | | | more effective.Change is about dealing with |
| that.In 1971, motivated by their vision of a | | | | resistance. And if you really want a credible |
| green and peaceful world, a small team of | | | | change you should stay approximate to the |
| activists set sail from Vancouver, Canada, in | | | | majority that you want to affect and |
| an old fishing boat. These activists, the | | | | influence. This can only be done by lowering |
| founders of Greenpeace, believed a few | | | | the walls and barriers between your team or |
| individuals could make a difference.Their | | | | organization and the ones you want to |
| mission was to "bear witness" to US | | | | influence. In such a way that your thoughts |
| underground nuclear testing at Amchitka, a | | | | can be accepted or at least be |
| tiny island off the West Coast of Alaska, | | | | negotiated.© 2006 Hans BoolHans Bool is |
| which is one of the world's most | | | | the founder of Astor White a traditional |
| earthquake-prone regions. Amchitka was the | | | | management consulting company that offers |
| last refuge for 3000 endangered sea otters, | | | | online management advice. Astor Online solves |
| and home to bald eagles, peregrine falcons | | | | issues in hours what normally would take |
| and other wildlife. Even though their old | | | | days. |
| boat, the Phyllis Cormack, was intercepted | | | | |