Change Management – Bhutan’s quest for best practice

“Nothing is permanent, except change itself”
Impermanence permeates our world, Lord Buddha did tell.
As society and technology advances rapidly…
Civil servants must look ahead and manage strategically.

Senior public servants are the backbone of the Royal
Government.
They make policies and run organizations that impact
communities and citizens.
Good HRM requires appropriate recruitment, appraisal,
and development policies,
But human capital building and knowledge management
will help increase public sector capacity.

Managing organizations strategically is a complex
mission.
The core strategy lies in a clear and shared vision.
Public leaders can develop incentives and KPIs for
good results,
You must be attuned to citizens’ needs to avoid
governing from the clouds.

Decentralization can empower the Dzongkhags and GYTs,
Local units can better target programmes with
operational autonomy.
But for them to undertake the added responsibilities at
a distance,
They will need central guidance, coordination and
Technical assistance.

Leaders may be heroes, motivators, influencers or
pioneer citizens,
In change management you must pay attention to risks
and resistance
Whether you are autocrats, democrats, bureaucrats or
technocrats in style,
You must work hard to mobilize the rank-and-file.

The world is looking to Bhutan to pave the way to the
Good Society,
GNH seems to provide the roadmap to development and
sustainability
But the tenets of GNH needs to be operationalized
Before policy levers can bring about our Paradise.

Reforms are fraught with risks and uncertainty,
But they drive Bhutan’s future development and shape
its destiny.
There are no simple blueprints or silver bullets for
strengthening governance,
But your vision and action, over time, can make all the
difference.