Change Has Changed: Time for a Strategic Reset

by Samuel R. Chand

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said change is the only constant in life.

But the world has experienced so much upheaval since January 2020 that change itself has changed! In business, the church, and nonprofits, leaders are being left in the dust as events and challenges speed by in a blur. The pace of change was accelerating before…but the pandemic pressed the pedal to the floor.

“We’re at an inflection point,” says leadership architect and change strategist Sam Chand. “The way things were isn’t the way things will be.”

In his new book Change Has Changed , Sam sets out to help leaders understand the evolving nature of change so that they can guide their organizations with wisdom and confidence.

He examines three major shifts that he likens to three simultaneous Sam tackles these and related issues head-on by offering lessons that will empower leaders to be ready for the next normal.

“We used to talk about a new normal as if it’s the end point of change,” Sam explains, “but if we’ve learned anything in the past months, it’s that change is perpetual, and we need to anticipate the next one on the horizon.”

176 pages, Hardcover

Published October 19, 2021

Reviews

[Deana Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book examines how our economy and other things have changed since the world was hit with COVID-19. It seemed like the world had stopped and no one knew what to do. Businesses were closing, people were losing their jobs, hospitals were bursting at the seams and we looked for direction to help us through this crisis.

Yes we needed guidance and there among us were leaders who were stressed trying to help their workers stay afloat. I remember thinking that life as we know it will never be the same again. Going to the store was impossible at times. Social distancing was required and get togethers were discouraged. What I did notice was that church didn’t stop. We saw many go to streaming their services so people could still attend church even though it was from their home. At least we could see hope rising from the ashes and start to sense that we were not alone anymore.

The author encourages leaders with key principles. He stresses the need to work in unity and learn from each other. Suddenly we saw churches finding ways to reach people and thinking outside the box. The author is passionate about helping leaders and this book is a great tool to use. I thought he had great ideas that can be implemented in churches as well as businesses. I like that he provides questions at the end of each chapter as well as take away points.

I liked when the author said, “The health of the leader determines the health and growth of the organization.” It is important as a leader to find someone who will stand with you, allow you to be transparent and speak truth into your life. I thought the chapter about Personal Care was my favorite. It emphasizes the need to be spiritually, physically and mentally healthy. We can’t do it on our own. That’s why we need to be surrounded by people who are candor, consistent, careful and wise in counsel.

I think this book is a great book for all leaders to read. It has encouraging words as well as sound ideas to change when needed. Not everyone adapts well when change comes, but as a leader you can help others to find hope in the midst of chaos.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read that is in direct response to the changes we have experienced because of COVID-19. “Too much has changed for us to go back to the way things used to be,” Chand writes. (95/1821) It is no longer business or ministry as usual. It is time to make bold decisions.

Chand explores seven important organizational factors that need to be evaluated. The pace of decisions, for example. They can no longer take months but may need to be made in days. Getting church services online, while perhaps planned in the long run, had to happen quickly. Innovative decisions had to be made and clearly communicated when conditions changed suddenly. The pandemic exposed problems that might have been there for a long time but were now glaring. Changes had to be made in organization charts. While the content may have stayed the same, the delivery methods had to change to keep the process going. (Think online school classes and take out at restaurants.)

Those are just a few of the important issues Chand covers. He encourages leaders to find and use their innovative people. Church boards may have to think of doing church in ways never considered before. Reading through this book will help leaders be encouraged during this time when there is so much change. There are bullet points at the end of each chapter for a quick review. There are also questions at the end of each chapter for good discussion on the suggestions presented.

This is a good book for leaders to read to make the best of this time when it is no longer life as usual. You'll receive good insight into what has changed, how to evaluate your business or ministry, and suggestion as you plan to move forward.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

."Change Has Changed" by Sam Chandis the first book I have read that is in direct response to the changes we have experienced because of COVID-19. “ I certainly agreed with his statement "Too much has changed for us to go back to the way things used to be,”
This book was an interesting book to read but at the same time I don't feel like it was written for readers like me, just because I am not in business nor am I a preacher but at the same time I did agreed with the author's statement that we need to let others know we have the same feelings and issues that are bothering leaders when it comes to family and other issues.

I think after reading this book, readers will have a better understanding of what leaders had and have to deal with Covid-19. The author also said that he thinks more changes will be coming before the overall effect of the virus is over.

This book was easy to read and not textbook style at all. Some of questions at the end of each chapter I felt like could be answered by mothers and fathers or heads of families that would make this new normal easier to deal with.

I received a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own

[Connie Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Change Has Changed is written by Sam Chand. This book focuses on all the changes that have happened in response to Covid 19. The whole world had to adjust to a new normal. This book is perfect for church leaders/bible study leaders etc. The author is very knowledgeable in aspects of business and economics.

Once the country shut down we all had to learn how to live this new normal. The author notes that we are experiencing the biggest pandemic and financial crisis since 1919/1930. The author has down great research looking back at other significant events that have paused our world.

The author is very encouraging to other leaders. Yes, you may have scrambled to get online services up and going - but we did it. Yes, another lock down may happen - businesses did not survive the first one - but God has it! He is a great motivational speaker. I felt energized and strong after reading this.

This is a great read for church and bible study leaders. It is well written and the author gets his point across clearly. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program - all thoughts are my own.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Chand’s Change Has Changed examines the effects COVID-19 has wreaked across our lives, and especially what steps leaders should take. As I began reading this book, I recognized many differences exist in our world from before the pandemic. Leaders must recognize that some things need to start that differ from before. We must stop other things in wake of the pandemic. Other things may need to be postponed. The author’s matter of fact of approaching these issues made this book worth reading.

We need to recognize we ourselves have changed. Those around us have changed. Plus, conditions and the surrounding environment changed. Leaders who adapt and adjust to these changes help ensure their organizations flourish and continue.

Divisions between us attempt to destroy us. But Sam Chand recognizes solidarity brings us together and allows us to move forward. For anyone in ministry or leadership positions, or those wanting to see our world thrive, this book deserves reading. So check it out for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Randi Sampson]

I think it's safe to say that the world has changed quite drastically over the past few years, isn't it? Change Has Changed addresses that topic and encourages leaders to take charge and offer encouragement.

Now, I must say that I am really probably not the target audience for this book, as I really don't have any roles of leadership myself. As such, this wasn't a book that I found of all that much interest either. Still, I did find that it seemed to be well thought out and well written. I can imagine that it would be very beneficial to those who ARE in roles of leadership during these times, be that leadership in business, leadership in the church or leadership elsewhere in the community. I feel like there was a lot of information within these pages that men and women in these roles could really use, so this is a book that is both timely and practical as well. If you are in a position of leadership, or have someone in your life who is, this is one to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks into how our world has changed since Covid-19 came into our lives and how that one change has made and affected so many other changes. Whether good or bad change changes things and changes how we view and look at the world around us.

I found this to be an interesting read.

The book chats about seven important factors of an organization that need to be looked over and implemented. Since our world has changed we can no longer go back to where we were and Chand is trying to share with leaders how to go about this.

While I am not a leader except for my children I did find a few factors that would work well if implemented in our home though that’s not how Chand is bringing them to light.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Change Has Changed: Time for a Strategic Reset is an interesting book that takes a look at how times have changed since the outbreak of Covid 19. It is broken down into nine chapters:
Never the Same Again
Three Massive Shifts
The Pace of Change
People of Change
The Process of Change
Programs of Change
Proclamation for Change
Preparation for Change
Personal Care in Changing Times
It gives some good insight on how to adapt to the new world that we know it. It was interesting to read.

I am giving Change Has Changed: Time for a Strategic Reset three stars. I believe readers who want to know how to evolve around this ever changing world, will want to read this one.

I received a digital copy of Change Has Changed: Time for a Strategic Reset from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Janelle]

Change has Changed was an interesting concept in that the author explains how the way we work has changed since the start of the pandemic. Not only that, but how it forced business, schools, and churches to adapt rapidly. He argues that the way in which businesses approach change has had to be reevaluated and done differently than before.

It was an interesting read, I also felt like I wasn’t the target audience the author was trying to address and this would probably be more well-received for those in various kinds of leadership roles. That is to say that I didn’t get much out of it except a blue print for leaders on how to adapt in unprecedented times. It just did not seem to be for the everyman (or woman in this case).

*I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

[Mary Hake · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world has certainly changed much in the past few years. This book is short but profound and bursting with information about dealing with the shift in the world since the pandemic. The text is geared toward leaders, a sort of self-help book to guide them to be most productive and better relate to those they oversee. Its nice chapters offer practical guidelines to apply in business or churches. Each chapter closes with great summaries of the main points and pertinent questions for evaluation. The author’s experience and wisdom as an international speaker and teacher lend credibility and illustrations for his points. He believes we will never go back to life as it was before, but whether we do or not, this text should be helpful for any leader. It might be good for a college class to study too. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

[Ashley Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a thought provoking book. It is the first book I’ve read that directly address how COVID-19 has changed life. Literally everything has changed and there is a new ‘normal’ but it will never go back to how it was.

I think the author has some good points. There is a lot in here that can be helpful to organizations and businesses. Personally I didn't think it pertained directly to me or that I was it's intended audience, but I can see how the book would be good for pastors or leaders.

3/5

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for leaders specifically church leaders. A lot has changed since Covid has messed with our lives and the politics behind it is even worse. It has encouraging words and as a leader you must be the key to others finding peace. Although I didn't agree with all of his points and this is definitely not my type of book at all but despite that the author definitely knows what he is talking about and he is definitely very passionate about the subject.

My Rating: 3 Stars/Liked it

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinions.