Introduction
Social change is the modification of social order in the community. The social changes in society are related to social behaviors and relations. Social changes can develop from two diverse sources. Such factors like weather and climate affect social change (Homan, 2016). Another factor of social change includes systematic factors such as availability of resources, the flexibility of the government, and the social organization of the society. Generally, unique factors and systematic factors greatly impact social change. There are many issues in society that affect the way we live in society. Social change aims at correcting the wrongs in society to make society a better place to live in (Homan, 2016).
Leadership
Leadership entails offering guidance so that changes can be effected. Leadership is the activity of leading a group of society in effecting changes by establishing clear visions (Sudbrack & Trombley, 2007). Leaders have to share the vision with those responsible for sharing with them the knowledge and information to ensure that the vision is achieved. There are many conflicting issues in society, and it is important to balance and coordinate the interests of the stakeholders to ensure that changes are implemented as required. Leadership is important in times of crisis as it is through leadership that difficult situations are solved (Sudbrack & Trombley, 2007). Leadership is not taught though it can be enhanced by mentoring or coaching.
Advocacy entails a process that is influenced politically by groups or individuals with the aim of altering decisions in the social, economical, and political systems. Advocacy may include the activities undertaken by an organization or a person such as campaigns and public speaking. Changes can be made through advocacy processes whereby issues are solved through politics (Epple, 2007). Advocacy solves issues by making considerations of the important issues in society.
Comparing Social Change and Leadership
Social change and leadership go hand in hand considering that changes in the society need some sort of leadership for them to be achievable. Social changes in society help in rectifying the wrongs in society. On the other hand, leadership facilitates these changes but it is not necessarily that these changes implemented by the leaders are aimed at rectifying the wrong (Kotter, 2007). There are times that leaders implement wrong decisions in society. Social change makes the right changes in society but leadership, on the other hand, not only makes the right choices but also wrong ones. For example, leaders may impose ideas on society and these ideas may lead to a corrupt society.
Social Change Vs Advocacy
Social changes can be compared to advocacy considering that some changes in the society are political, socially, or economically motivated. There are some changes in the society that are made achievable through rules of advocacy (Arredondo & Perez, 2003). Social changes are sometimes implemented through the use of advocacy though some of the changes motivated by advocacy do not represent social changes since instead of rectifying the vices in the community; they end up destroying the society. In case there is a need to make social changes in society, they can be influenced economically, socially, or politically.
Leadership Vs Advocacy
Leadership entails providing steps for the implementation of changes. Advocacy, on the other hand, plays the role of influencing the decisions (Vera & Speight, 2003). The changes implemented through leadership and those implemented through advocacy differ considering that some are influenced by some forces whereas individuals influence others. For example, senate members provide ideas because they are leaders and these ideas are implemented through political processes of advocacy.
Conclusion
Social change, leadership, and advocacy all play a role in the implementation of changes in society. The changes can either be right or wrong depending on the forces that oversee their effect (Arredondo & Perez, 2003). Changes in the community we live in today are inevitable, and they all have an impact on society. Leaders have a role to ensure they lead through the right process. Though some of these changes can be political, socially, or economically motivated, through leadership, the changes should be positive.
References
Arredondo, P. & Perez, P. (2003). Expanding multicultural competence through social justice leadership. The Counseling Psychologist. 31(3), 282-289.
Epple, D. M. (2007). Inter and intra professional social work differences: Social work challenge. Clinical Social Work Journal, 35 (4), 267-276.
Homan, M. S. (2016). Promoting community change: Making it happen in the real world (6th Ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning
Kotter, J. P. (2007). Leading changes: Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business Review, 85 (1), 96-103
Sudbrack, B. & Trombley, S. (2007). Lost: A survival guide to leadership theory. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 9(2), 96-103.
Vera, E. M. & Speight, S. L. (2003). Multicultural competence, social justice, and counseling psychology: Expanding our roles. The counseling Psychologist, 31(3), 253-272.