Change Activist: Make Big Things Happen Fast: Make Big Things Happen Fast

by Carmel Mcconnell

This book is for anyone wanting to make change happen in their life, in their workplace or community and possibly for a better world. It shows how social activists ask better questions, take baby steps to move to the next level. From green campaigns to building profitable, trusted teams, to Government policy, Carmel offers practical tools and strategies in your personal and professional life. Rather than tune out or hope someone else will create the best options, Change Activists use passion, purpose and a compelling plan to move forward. Change activists ask better questions - what am I passionate about, what change do I want to see in the world, how can I make big things happen fast in my life? If you are interested in values led change for yourself, and across any kind of organization this will help; there is power in being true to yourself, in doing the right thing. And it is your life, so don’t be plastic about it.

The book describes how to navigate the ups and downs of making change happen; from start up to scale up, to winning backers and allies. Through interviews with global change leaders including Big Issue co Founder Lord John Bird, Kenyan education leader Qabale Duba and Indian vaccination activist Varsha Vanugobal, Carmel unpacks the elements of successful change activists, suggests we are all capable of more, if we take action. This is a practical guide - Carmel wants everyone to find and play their part in a better future.

Genres: Business

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

Reviews

[MRS CATHERINE]

I'm reading the third edition of Change Activist, published by Pearson Education in 2022 (updated to take account of Covid 19, the climate crisis etc). I find it to be really energising and easy to read. Carmel McConnell has an amazing backstory and, through giving examples from her life and the stories of other inspirational social activists, she guides the reader through how to make small changes that add up to a better, more fulfilling future. If you're someone who's got stuck in a rut, either personally or at work, or are passionate about making a change in the world, but don't know where to start, reading Change Activist will offer plenty of inspiration and practical tips to set you on your way. It's equally relevant to one person, or a whole business. It's also a good book to dip into, or go back to if you need a bit of a boost. Carmel makes you believe in yourself and the power that you have to make the world better, and you believe her as she’s achieved so much herself.

[Lee Osborne]

There's a few good things in here, but a lot of it's quite poor. It might inspire you, and I hope it does, but I found the writing style grating, cheesy and repetitive. I also thought the author blew her own trumpet too much, focused on the same few things over and over again, and mentioned the pandemic (in the most recent edition) far too often.

I don't ever want to think about or be reminded of the bloody pandemic ever again as long as I live, so that was a major criticism for me.

At least I only paid a quid for it.

[Leanne]

Carmel McConnell attempts the unthinkable with Change Activism - to wrestle self-help from the preserve of bouffanted American gurus. This is a self-help book with a difference, as it outlines how it's possible to have a career that forfeits neither morals nor muscle. A very very readable expansion of Dale Carnegie's work in the mid 1930s.

[Lori Grant]

A should-read book on business life.