Freedom is the right to question and change the established way of doing things. It is the continuous revolution of the marketplace. It is the understanding that allows us to recognize shortcomings and seek solutions.” – Ronald Reagan
Do you ever feel like you don’t have the right to question?
Are you waiting for someone to give you permission to change the established way of doing things?
Though there are times when others, a good boss or a great community leader, may offer you the freedom to question and to change, know that your freedom was never really theirs to offer.
All these days you’ve been carrying around your freedom inside you and were either unaware of it or too afraid to use it.
You can question.
You can change things.
But, unless you are in power, you can’t question or change by force, by ridicule or by contempt. You can’t drive people to change. Even if you are in power and could, why would you?
Instead:
Choose to question in a way that leads people forward with you, e.g.,
“What would our work look like if we stopped doing process X?”
instead of
“Process X is stupid, so why didn’t you stop us from doing it years ago?”
Choose to change with others in mind, e.g.,
“I’m going to start all of my meetings on time from now on. Is there anything we can do together to clear the way for you to be present when we start”
instead of
“I know you have to walk from across the campus to get to this meeting, but I have to start on time. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
Use your right to question.
Change the established way.
Leverage your freedom.
If you don’t, no one else will.
