There are many drivers of world change, such as climate change, demographics, depleting resources, globalization, ICT etc. and these changes can be classified as evolutionary or revolutionary changes. Evolutionary change is incremental change, while revolutionary change is transformational change.
The second half of the lesson is linked to the first half in a way such that change leadership triggers world change. For example, in my presentation on Wikicells, I talked about how the invention of Wikicells is able to revolutionize the way food is packaged and how it has the potential to move consumers away from "the plastic era" to a more environmentally-friendly era. I believe that this invention is a revolutionary one as it is possibly able to lead to breakthrough in consumer behaviour when dining. But what triggered this new invention? I believe, it is the creator of Wikicells, David Edwards, who engages in change leadership instead of change management. Change management, refers to keeping any change effort under control, with the goal to minimize the impacts of the change. Change leadership, on the other hand, involves visions. Big ones. It involves making big leaps and processes that fuels large-scale and radical transformations. Instead of limiting the options of saving the environment by reuse, reduce, recycle, David Edwards focused on long-term solutions instead of short ones. He looked forward in time, with a goal to create new technologies that would not only minimize problems, but create a whole new solution to waste disposal.
One point that Prof. Shahi made caught my attention. It was the point about how humans are the most unspecialized species compared to the rest. Prof. Shahi continued by saying that because humans are the least fit and least specialized, humans are thus the most able to be adaptable to change. A quote by Charles Robert Darwin exemplifies this well - "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one that is most adaptable to change". Humans are versatile; Jack of all trades, but master of none.
Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the videos screened during this session. The video on the first follower, who joined the guy who was dancing by himself was truly inspiring. I've learnt that a leader needs a lot of guts to stand alone and take the risk but the first follower's role is the most crucial. It is when the first person starts to follow, it is about them and not just a single person. When more and more people join, it becomes a movement. All in all, the first follower plays the key role in creating change.
Another video screened was the one about the little boy who displayed exemplary leadership. He took the initiative to move the log away even though he knows inside that his small size couldn't possibly lift the heavy log. When he took the first step, it inspired more and more people to join in. The small boy is thus a good example of a pro-active leader, one who ignites change.
Overall, I would rate the class a 8/10. I really enjoyed the videos screened and the presentations made by the other 4 that day!
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