I am gonna tell you a little story that arose amidst this new vogue.
Someone complained on Facebook about his experience as a stakeholder at a public consultation, conducted by a statutory board. He said the Director from the stat board basically put down suggestions raised during the session, and shoved his stat board's proposals down the throats of the stakeholders (mainly average and individual property owners, and not influential stakeholders such as large MNCs).
About a few weeks later, I hear that the Director reported to his stat board that the residents had acted as if 'the government owed them a living'.
It's an absurd situation where the conversation did take place. And that's all there is to it. The net satisfaction level for all takes a huge dip. I wonder how the report and the eventual press release will be drafted.
Nobody is happy. And lots of energy and emotions are wasted in the process.
Why is this so? Is it really true that the average member of public has excessively high expectations? How so? Who is thinking so?
Eh... Take a step back and think about the situation for a moment.
True public consultation is relatively new.
(Let's not pretend that previous efforts were open and 2-way dialogues).
Nobody is happy. And lots of energy and emotions are wasted in the process.
Why is this so? Is it really true that the average member of public has excessively high expectations? How so? Who is thinking so?
Eh... Take a step back and think about the situation for a moment.
True public consultation is relatively new.
(Let's not pretend that previous efforts were open and 2-way dialogues).
This means, members of public are not familiar with what to expect, and have their own definitions of its actual/desired objectives, processes, outcomes etc.
What's more significant is that those in senior positions, e.g. directors, are unlikely to have proven that they know how to conduct/manage a true public consultation session.
In fact, these public servants were probably promoted because they have demonstrated what's considered 'good performance in the earlier versions of public consultation'.
What's more significant is that those in senior positions, e.g. directors, are unlikely to have proven that they know how to conduct/manage a true public consultation session.
In fact, these public servants were probably promoted because they have demonstrated what's considered 'good performance in the earlier versions of public consultation'.
However, if they repeat the same formula in today's context, they are not gonna get the job done. Neither are they gonna please anyone, not even their bosses.
In simple terms, their (public consultation) skills, if any, are outdated.
If they do not realise this and continue to apply the same formula to the new problem, then their attitudes and current-estimated-potentials (CEPs) are outdated too.
Remember: The government shouldn't owe you a living either.
.....................................................
Whether it's a public consultation, a social gathering, or a first-time conversation between two strangers, the key for all to walk away with a positive experience is always... sincerity and intelligence.
Can sincerity be learnt overnight?
Can interpersonal intelligence be acquired overnight or at Harvard?
I'll use a term they are familiar with. 'Paradigm shift', ok?
If they do not realise this and continue to apply the same formula to the new problem, then their attitudes and current-estimated-potentials (CEPs) are outdated too.
Remember: The government shouldn't owe you a living either.
.....................................................
Whether it's a public consultation, a social gathering, or a first-time conversation between two strangers, the key for all to walk away with a positive experience is always... sincerity and intelligence.
Can sincerity be learnt overnight?
Can interpersonal intelligence be acquired overnight or at Harvard?
I'll use a term they are familiar with. 'Paradigm shift', ok?
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