Joint Declaration for Peace.
"Change requires perseverance and resilience to navigate obstacles, handling both scepticism and blind resistance, to achieve goals that seem unattainable"
👏 Happy Friday!
On this day, December 15th, 1993, British and Irish prime ministers John Major and Albert Reynolds issued the historic Joint Declaration for Peace on the steps of Downing Street. The Joint Declaration for Peace was a landmark document designed to bring an end to the prolonged conflict in Northern Ireland and a charter for peace and reconciliation in Ireland. Essential components included commitments to democratic principles, recognition of diverse political aspirations, and the establishment of cooperative institutions between the British and Irish governments. The conflict in Northern Ireland that has become known as the Troubles started in the late 1960s, and the violence led to over 3,500 deaths. This declaration laid the foundation for subsequent agreements, notably the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which played a pivotal role in resolving the Northern Ireland conflict.
✅ Later that day, both prime ministers addressed the gathered audience and the press. John Major told us, “My message to those who are not yet convinced is they should read the declaration. It really is time for Ireland politicians and people alike not just to look back at their history but to look forward to their future and that is what I hope they will do.” Additionally, Albert Reynolds told us, “What we have been engaged in for the last two years is to try and change the position so that there won’t be a single more dead in Northern Ireland.” The Anglo-Irish pact also exemplifies the value of perseverance and resilience in the face of obstacles. Change and the road to peace were not without their challenges, and the leaders encountered scepticism, resistance, and setbacks along the way. This lesson emphasises the need for change leaders to remain steadfast, adaptable, and resilient in the face of adversity. Change requires perseverance and resilience. Change Requires Perseverance and Resilience.
“Change requires perseverance and resilience to navigate obstacles, handling both scepticism and blind resistance, to achieve goals that seem unattainable”
👉 Resistance is the reaction by the organisation, departments, or individuals when they perceive that an organisational change coming their way could be a threat to them. Without further awareness and understanding, this resistance will cause fear. It will trigger actions that negatively impact the pace of organisational change implementation, adoption of the new ways of working and benefits delivery. Change resistance can be a major obstacle in achieving change adoption and benefits realisation. The change team must understand this and have tactics to address resistance.
Have a fantastic weekend with the ones you love and care for, enjoy some fresh air, exercise, eat, drink and be happy.
Further Reading: Change Management Handbook - Leadership of Change Volume 3
Peter consults, speaks, and writes on the Leadership of Change®.
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Peter F Gallagher is a Change Management Global Thought Leader, Guru, Expert, International Speaker, Author and Leadership Alignment Coach.
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Change Management Behaviour - Leadership of Change® Volume 6, listed among the 50 Books from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders to read in 2022.
Change Management Adoption - Leadership of Change® Volume 5, listed among year-to-date’s (Jul 2021) most popular books on business and technology from Thinkers360 member thought leaders.
Change Management Handbook - Leadership of Change® Volume 3, listed among the 50 Business and Technology Books from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders to read in 2021.
Change Management Pocket Guide - Leadership of Change® Volume 2, ranked within the top 50 Business and Technology Books (Jan 2020) from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders.