Changes For Masonic Survival & Thriving

By John Loayza

Progress in any endeavor requires change that consists of a variety of challenges and opportunities. Successful organizations and leaders need to adapt to the constant changing world and will determine if an organization will be surviving or thriving in the future. Therefore, what was a successful method of doing things that worked in the past, may not necessarily be appropriate for what is needed today.

Several executive research papers have been written about three major factors that contribute to success. Briefly, those factors include:

1- Focusing on the big picture.

2- Expectation of a so-so type of moment.

3- Attention/Concentration on a subject or methods of striving for success over time.

Due to a changing environment of uncertainty, the above factors are even more important in our fraternal activities. Thus, we need to look for ways of adapting to change in a smooth and continuous way, in order to survive and thrive. We should consider the following factors:

1- Remain Involved-All our work as leaders contribute to a common good. When we oppose change, important connections and communications lines are disrupted or disappear. What we need to do is to refocus and think of excellence by asking ourselves if others who are looking at our actions, leadership, and activities believe that they are excellent.

2- Watching the Big Picture-Our actions are more than just our own lodge, because we should be looking at how change is occurring at all levels. Consider the aging of our lodges, how technology is improving our regular lives and Freemasonry, budgets are becoming more important due to fewer members and they are tighter. Potential candidates are now better informed and more involved than every before. Therefore, we have to be watchful on how changes are affecting Freemasonry, and in our normal lives. I.E., remain active

in

all types of organizations, not just our own individual lodge. Moreover, any long-term goals will directly influence how we interpret what we see happening around us.

3- Listening and Talking-Successful leaders will be better able to interpret events around us if we remain in contact with others about what is happening. I.E., this refers to talking with others about what we are seeing, and then seeking out and considering their observations and information. Furthermore, we should be visiting other lodges and learn how any changes are affecting their lives and how they resolve challenges or changes with their respective successful programs. All too often, we see some leaders doing considerable talking and hearing but not really listening carefully to what is being said. Listening versus hearing is an essential factor.

4- Becoming Valuable-Solving challenges/problems is part of every leader’s life. Since changes bring new challenges/problems, leaders must dedicate themselves to becoming part of the solutions. Thus, knowing our strengths and weaknesses will help us to adapt to changes whenever needed.

Furthermore, leaders should try to apply a business method called SWOT (Strength and Weakness comparisons with Opportunities and Threats) that appear with any or all changes. Once changes and all factors are identified, successful leaders can capitalize on leadership strengths, as well as what’s needed to correct any weaknesses while taking advantage of all opportunities and minimizing all threats.

5- Flexibility-Successful leaders need to look for ways to blend any changes or innovations into their lives. It’s a way of establishing new traditions or systems within a lodge. Although it’s essential to maintain efficiency and effectiveness, being flexible permits us to blend with the changes rather than being overwhelmed by them.

6- Learning Through Personal Networks-Personal networks are sounding boards. They have within themselves individuals or groups that are most likely experiencing or have experienced similar changes. Therefore, current leaders can learn from their personal networks so the methods that the current leaders use will determine how to approach change and its effects on them.

We can work to accommodate changes to survive and thrive or be overwhelmed by changes and have a business-as-usual lodge and/or attitude which eventually destroys itself from within. The choice is yours alone brethren.

R.W. Brother John Loayza, Grand Chancellor