Question of the Week.
When you disagree with the fundamental direction that an institute (religious, business, academic, etc) is heading towards, do you bail or change from within? Discuss.
When you disagree with the fundamental direction that an institute (religious, business, academic, etc) is heading towards, do you bail or change from within? Discuss.
April 23rd, 2004 at 1:04 am
If I am reliant on the “institute” for covering my living expenses, then I may have to compromise as needed. I wish I didn’t have to take that position, but I think many do. When you say “change from within” are you referring to the individual or the institute? I’ve always tried to change the institute from within, for the better, and tried to avoid changing myself from within, for the worse.
Other than that, religion is for fanatics, and academics is for idealists… Or something like that… ;)
April 23rd, 2004 at 1:04 am
When I say “change” I mean institutional change, not personal change…although no matter what you change, it still effects the person, no?
April 23rd, 2004 at 12:04 pm
I try and be pragmatic. I start by making an honest evaluation of my role in the institution; if I’m in a position of authority or have the ear of those who make the decisions I’ll try and effect change from within. If I lack a voice I tend to bail.
I’m too old to run about tilting at windmills and would rather focus my limited energy towards a goal where I stand a chance of success. I also try and keep in mind that just because I don’t like the direction a group is going, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are wrong — it may just mean that they are wrong for me. In this case withdrawing is in everyones best interests. It’s hard sometimes, because I KNOW that if people would just do what I said things would go better, but it’s a tough sell :)