A Simple Climb

Leaders responsible for the management of a civil service reform must bring about the ideal combination of makeup, order and pace of change to create a confidence level that will lead to desired results. Taking the time to build the stamina for change and reduce the amount of effort required to make the change is critical to a successful reform. I was again reminded of this while in Bali, Indonesia. Here is my story.

Early last Wednesday I climbed Mount Batur on the island of Bali, a volcano still smoldering at its peak, with pools of hot water and dangerous crevices. The trek uphill began at 3:00 am, synchronizing arrival time to the top with the onset of the day’s sunrise. A successful climb at a good steady pace takes a little more than an hour and a half. The climb requires a good grip on rocks and branches to move upward; a steady foothold on volcanic ashes and pebbles to prevent a backward drop and a watchful eye on the faint glimmer of light spewing from the small flashlight that guides the path.

Midway up the hill and to my astonishment, a shadow glided its way passed us. It was crowned by a tall woven basket, assisted by a long walking stick and followed by the clacking sound of flip flop sandals. I could feel my jaw drop on the volcanic floor of that mountain. Squinting across the darkness I recognized the figure of a woman. Here I was with the latest design in hiking boots and sportswear featuring waterproof breathable fabric with glow in the dark designs, carrying bottled springwater and panting like my dog in the middle of a thunderstorm, while with the simplest attire, this elegant Balinese woman had achieved a level of efficacy that left me motionless. I watched in complete admiration as the darkness melted her away.

When we arrived at the small cabin at the top of Mount Batur the Balinese woman had emptied her basket of cold drinks, eggs, bread and the like, had started a fire, made the coffee and was ready to greet her guests, as she did every day. I had sweat at my brow, a growling stomach, a face flushed from the strain and legs that were muttering unfamiliar crackles at the joints. Having reached a superbly tailored level of fitness she had teased her climb to a fine art; mastered the walking stick so as to relieve the pressure on her legs and balance her body weight; and developed an enchanting stride that connected with Mount Batur in a way that made it difficult to discern the lady from the mountain.

There are parallels between this experience and civil service reforms from which two important messages emerge:

1. Practice not only makes perfect but it also makes it easier.
2. Simplicity breeds great achievements.

Transforming years of standards, values, customs, routines and conventions into something new that produces high performing practices is a great challenge that governments undertake continuously. Consciously building capacity to reduce the amount of effort required to make the next change should be a built in requirement to any reform. Leaders should strive to simplify change and build stamina for future changes - at every opportunity.

Photo 1: View from Mnt Batur Volcano at sunrise 1,717 metres above sea level
Photo 2: Our Host: The Balinese Woman