Self-Transformation through Attitude and Mind-Set Change in a Democratic Culture: A Participatory Action Research Approach

Abstract

The transformation brought about by man should lead to the transformation of man himself. Many African countries have fought for democracy, which includes the transformation of amongst others, the individual, the group, organization transformation, and the workplace. Although there is an abundance of literature about transformation, literature about self-transformation is scarce. The researcher planned to encourage individuals to transform themselves through attitude and mind-set change. An understanding of political, psychological, and philosophical dimensions can contribute significantly to an individual’s self-transformation. The researcher selected twenty-two community members for a participatory action study. The participants comprised three educators, three civic members, three traditional leaders, three community policing forum members, three members from victim empowerment, three policing staff, two church leaders, and two members from community health care groups. The researcher used a qualitative technique for data collection. The participants formed a focus group that included discussions and individual interviews. The purpose of discussions and interviews was to ascertain how participants could understand change from a selfish attitude and mind-set to show the significant self-transformation in a democratic culture. Responses were recorded in a reflective diary and transcribed by the researcher. Responses were analyzed using data matrix and then reported on in a participatory action research approach study.

1. Introduction and motivation underlying the study

In a democratic culture, individual expectations are greater than in a nondemocratic culture. A democratic culture promotes transformation of many existing aspects, including infrastructure, programe design, school culture, subject matter, administrative issues, and individual transformation amongst others. In addition, people must know their rights, although some appear not to understand that rights should be coupled with responsibilities, openness, respect, and tolerance. It is also important that an individual develops critical thinking in a democratic culture to enable one to be judgmental of oneself before judging others. However, learning can assist an individual to change his/her behavior through attitude and mind-set change. This learning can occur formally, informally, or non-formally to the extent that one’s personal growth is enhanced. Nobody knows everything but through learning people can share knowledge to enhance self-realization and self-actualization. These can develop and sustain self-transformation of a responsibly coherent individual. Self-transformation is also a significant factor in the economic development of each community globally. Organizations, schools, departments, and all spheres of management can benefit from self-transformation through attitude and mind-set change. An individual perception cannot always be true to reality; therefore, an individual is likely to change attitudes and mind-set to enhance social contract.

Failure of self-transformation appears to be the aftermath of numerous community-based problems such as gender-based violence, ritual murders, theft, and other criminal activities, while some communities dominate through local land capture that hampers the distribution and modernization of land for economic development due to lack of self-transformation by the leadership in a democratic culture. Medda [1] states that land capture refers to a situation where the land is not accessible to all people who have the right to access. Accessibility refers to the extent to which land use enables individuals to engage in all relevant activities. In this study conducted in South Africa, the traditional leadership works with local committees elected from community members. The elected members seem to be more predominant; they have neither respect nor civic-mindedness in their discussions more, especially the elite who work without a land distribution policy in a supposedly democratic culture that promotes fairness, justice, and equality for all. The elite would decide what to do on a particular piece of land as individuals rather than including other community members in the development of the land. Elite land capture is, therefore, likely to exacerbate rural income inequality. The elite adopt negative attitude toward some community members despite these community members having magnificent ideas. The authority emanates from committee members themselves, especially the elite due to a lack of self-transformation in a supposedly democratic era. Often a business cannot be easily established if one of the committee members has an interest in the business of that nature unless the applicant is somehow related to the committee members concerned. In most instances, committee members appear to have more than three projects in a particular community, hence those in authority being the chief beneficiaries of the land. The growth of emergent farms is often a process of elite capture of land and public spending. The elite are the ones who gain concessions regarding the land.

In Zambia, land capture has been dominated by salaried urbanites and by relatively privileged rural individuals. Land administration has been in the hands of opportunistic and selfish people. The transformation of Africa’s rural landscape has been characterized by the predominance of very small-scale, semi-subsistence farms to more productive commercially viable farms. There is, however, a rapid increase in the number of so-called emergent farmers over the last decades after the outcry of community members. The smallholders cultivate more than five up to twenty hectors of land. Between 2001 and 2011, the population of emergent farmer householders in Zambia grew by 62% since there has less land capture by the elite people [2].

In America, land use planning favors the elite, and there is a lack of attention to formal economic planning tools. Land prices have increased since the scattered spatial application of the tax to favor the elite only. Rural landownership is politically biased. Brazil and Colombia have implemented Land Value-Capture Strategies in a context full of controversies. The Colombian-value capture is named Captura de Plusvalia, and it is a Land Value Development Tax [3]. In this study, community members might be given land for business and sites for residential development, and they are given a period of 6 months to establish a business. Those who fail to establish their infrastructure within a given period are dispossessed of the site by the leadership who can then decide to sell for profit, thus benefitting individual member of the leadership. The above result from lack of self-transformation within the leadership as individuals. Such attitudes and mind-set regarding leadership need to be changed. In a democratic culture, all people are equal, and they should be treated equally and fairly.

Democracy combines attitudes that share an emancipative thrust in pursuing the freedom of ordinary people, involving an emphasis on people’s power, tolerance of nonconforming people, and trust in people. It is, thus, possible that an emancipative mass attitude does not show a significant impact on democracy when a broader measure of democracy is used. When testing the effect of emancipative mass attitudes against the influence of socioeconomic factors, broader modernization cannot be used; hence, emancipative mass attitudes might not show significant effect on democracy when an encompassing measure of modernization is included; however, emancipative mass attitudes can help to achieve democracy. Prodemocratic mass attitudes become an effective support factor only to the extent to which they motivate powerful mass actions that demonstrate people’s willingness to struggle for democratic goals [4].

The mind-set behind powerful mass action is the most appropriate for governing because it enables politicians more readily to recognize opportunities for desirable compromise. Political scientists have exposed the harmful consequences of misplaced campaigning but have not connected this problem with the mind-set. We analyze here and its implications for democratic compromise. The mind-set associated with campaigning, therefore, deserves greater attention than it has received because it reinforces all other factors. If we want to make democracy more amenable to compromise, we need to understand not only the partisan positions and political interests that affect comprise but also the arguments and attitudes that politicians use to resist or support it [5].

According to Barret [6], openness is an attitude toward people who are perceived to have different cultural affiliations from oneself or toward beliefs, world views, and practices, which differ from one’s own. It involves sensitivity toward curiosity about and willingness to engage with other people and other perspectives on the world. Respect consists of positive regard and esteem for someone, or something based on the judgment that they have intrinsic importance, worth, or value. Having respect for other people who are perceived to have different cultural affiliation or different beliefs, opinions, or practice from one’s own is vital for effective intercultural dialog and a culture of democracy. Civic-mindedness is an attitude toward a community or social group to which one belongs that is larger than one’s immediate circle of family and friends. It involves a sense of belonging to a community, an awareness of the people in the community, and an awareness of the effects of one’s actions on other people. Responsibility for self-efficiency is a significant attitude in a democratic culture. Tolerance of ambiguity is an attitude toward a situation, which is uncertain and subject to multiple conflicting interpretations. It involves evaluating this kind of situation and dealing with the above constructively. Lifelong learning about transformation involves people knowing who they are, relative to the rest of humanity, how they differ from others, and what the similarities are in order to transform. This involves integrating the various facets of the psyche to develop a full and deep consciousness of the self [7].

Clearly, in this study, openness and responsibility do not always prevail in communities, therefore, people should be encouraged to attend adult and community education so that they understand these principles of democracy. With this in mind, there are a few knowledge institutions that could contribute to knowledge enrichment so that everyone can move from general knowledge to specific knowledge that can benefit communities by clarifying how an individual can change his/her attitudes and mind-set. It is, however, imperative that lifelong learning be promoted to enhance personal growth and understanding of self-transformation, a democratic culture, and participatory action in each community. This includes how personal transformation can be developed and promoted since each person has the right to education and training.

2. Literature review

Achieving personal transformation in the workplace involves setting milestones and tracking progress. Many people struggle with personal transformation in trying to achieve their goals within an established time frame. Personal transformation involves the motivation and discipline required to grow, develop, and improve in one’s personal and professional life; transformation occurs internally and externally. Internal transformation occurs by investigating one’s improvement or by defining one’s-identity; hence, external transformation leads to a tangible transformation of things outside oneself. This includes a career transformation with a new role or promotion. Some people rely on goal-based strategies for a holistic type of personal transformation. Goal-based strategies focus on big goals as the motivation force for change; hence, this includes shifting goals and focusing on new goals that can help one to discover talents, skills, and responsibilities, which prompt personal transformation; progressing goals occur when one sets goals for oneself, and one continues to reach and expand on them. The initial goal oneself sets oneself should remain consistent while continuing to be challenging. This allows one’s capabilities and talents to expand further [8].

Shifting how people think about social issues is critical for social and policy change. There are widely shared patterns of thinking in American culture that can obstruct progressive change. Individualization often prevents people from seeing the need for structural changes to the economic, justice, health, education, and energy systems, amongst others. Toxic stereotypes lead privileged groups to blame marginalized people for the problems they face and impede efforts to address sources of violence and exploitation. Misperceptions about human development across the lifespan undermine recognition of the best ways for our society to support children, families, and older adults. There has been a recent groundswell of interest in mind-set shifts and narrative change as a way of addressing these challenges [9]. For this study, transforming another person through attitude and mind-set change is not a simple undertaking, but an individual can easily transform her/himself through attitude and mind-set change if she/he has self-knowledge. It is, however, not easy to transform oneself if one does not know oneself. Therefore, self-transformation is a process that cannot be achieved easily. Unless a person has something in mind to achieve, that person can struggle to change; hence, self-knowledge is crucial changing one’s attitude and mind-set.

Self-transformation implies what it is we seek to reshape ourselves, so as to shift into a whole new person. Self-transformation starts with a tiny spec of hope, and that is letting loose of unwanted personality trails in one’s inner saboteur. Fighting this inner saboteur is, however, the wrong approach that will just make it harder for one to transform oneself. To be successful in one’s transformation, one must adhere to the self-transformation steps. These include believing that change is possible and is to be conceived. One must have hope and avoid telling oneself that it can happen; therefore, one has to stop repeating oneself, questioning everything, and push oneself, and this refers to challenging oneself again and again and again if you want to live your dream. Your self-transformation is in your own hands (Kavanagh [10]). For this study, people need to be trained to know where to start when they want to transform themselves because this is not an easy process to undergo. The researcher agrees with Kavanagh [10] that to be successful in self-transformation, one has to understand the steps that you must adopt to be successful in one’s personal transformation.

Indeed [8] suggests certain methods for achieving personal transformation in the workplace. These include identifying one’s success and improvement areas. One has to identify any achievements one has reached so that one can better analyze one’s skill sets and abilities. When one has a better idea of one’s strengths, one can determine which one wants to improve upon and use more often in one’s career. Assessing these skills makes it easier to evaluate any improvement. The second step is to adjust one’s mind-set. It can be easier to reach the goals one sets for oneself if one shifts one’s mind-set to approach these objectives with more encouraging attitude. One needs to try to remain positive when working toward goals. If one can reach a certain milestone, assess the outcome in order to understand why. The third step is to understand one’s values. After setting one’s own values and following them closely, one can provide meaning and purpose in one’s professional life. Now, one has to examine one’s personal beliefs or values and use this information to find a career or company that values the same things. The fourth step is to establish and track one’s goals, and to think about where one wants to be in one’s career within the next few weeks, months, or years. This allows one to set short-and long-term goals and to work toward them each day, but one has to ensure one’s goals are reasonable and attainable. The fifth step is to enhance one’s knowledge and skills by finding different ways to challenge oneself, learn new skills, and increase your knowledge. One can read various materials relating to one’s industry or career to understand innovative solutions, methods, and strategies for different challenges.

Although personal transformation is not a simplistic process, there are crucial steps that can be taken to achieve self-transformation. The first step shows the recording of the outcome. In order to get what one wants, one must first know exactly what the final outcome will be. One can hardly get there if one does not understand exactly what one wants, so it is necessary to define one’s problems and decide what they will be like once one has transformed them. Thinking is not enough; it has to be concrete. Indicate why one wants to make these changes. Write down all the great things that will happen once one’s transformation is complete. This will motivate one when tempted to fall back into old habits. The second step is to take baby steps by keeping the change as a gradual process; most big changes are made by taking small steps every day over a long period of time. Personal transformation, therefore, takes time, and it is not linear. Sometimes one takes three steps forward then two steps back and be prepared for this reality and do not give up when change does not happen quickly enough, or it feels as though one is not making progress. The third step is to learn from others because change always involves learning new things, but one can create one’s own shortcut. Instead of starting from scratch, learn from the journeys and mistakes of others who have already taken the path one is embarking on. Avoid the mistakes they made and adopt the habits that helped them to achieve their goals. Be the outcome as the fourth step. When one acts as if an outcome has already occurred, it is much more likely to happen. One’s brain cannot always distinguish between what one visualizes and what is out there in the real world. Adopt the identity of yourself as someone who has already made the changes one aspires to, and one’s actions will be those of someone who has already made the successful transformation. The fifth step is to be willing to be uncomfortable because change is uncomfortable. People tend to cling to stability and comfort, but one’s personal transformation requires one to step into the new environment, meet new people and do things that one is not used to; embrace the feelings, and work though them; do not let them stop one. The last step is to be one’s own cheerleader; when one changes the people around one, then will react. Some will support one, and some will work actively to resist one. Build up one’s inner strengths and realize that one does not need anyone’s approval. If they give it to you, that is a gift [11].

Transformations are personal journeys, and the goal of personal transformation is to improve one’s life to make it better. A personal transformation is the change or improvement of oneself to better ones. Despite the complexity of self-transformation, the journey has comprehensive steps to the destination, such as figuring out what personal journey one wants to take on; being sure that it is a personal transformation that will improve one’s life or help to make one’s personal and professional life better at the same time. What does one need from this personal transformation? In the second step, one makes a list of all one’s goals and prioritize them. One has to figure out what personal journey one wants to take on and make a list of all one’s goals set for that personal transformation. It is necessary to prioritize them in order from the most important to the least important, or just put down every one of them if possible. The third step is to create a plan for how one will chain these goals. The goal of personal transformation is to improve one’s life, so it is up to one as an individual to figure out the best course of action. In the fourth step, one must find accountability partners to support one on one’s journey. Everyone has people around; therefore, one knows those who support one and that can continue to support one in one’s journey. It is very important to write down what one learns every day and to reflect upon it at regular intervals. One must find a purpose so that one knows the reason why one needs personal transformation so that one is no longer anxious about it. It is also important to find what is meaningful outside of work and life in general since these things can make personal transformations more fulfilling. A support system can assist one to transform oneself. A way to find a support system is by going back to school as an adult and having classmates who understand the struggles in personal transformation, or finding online programs that offer personal transformation coaching. To transform oneself, one must set aside time for personal transformation so that one can get out of the comfort zone. It is also advisable to commit to the process to succeed and keep on reminding oneself that transformation is a process not a once-off process [12].

Transformative experiences are built upon a personal history and often constitute a critical “detonation point of experience” [13]. This often happens in a logical way from one state to another. The stages include the following: conflict stage- this refers to a dissonance in the soul; interlude of scanning- this includes a search for a resolution; intuitive insight- this is the breakthrough experience of truth, release, and openness for new patterns of thinking and being; interpretation and verification-experience is filtered through significant others for validation. In addition to the stages, there are tools that can be used through a personal transformation. The research identified two tools that can be used discussed below:

2.1 Reading fictional narratives

It is useful read a fictional narrative or novel that in turn has a profound impact upon one’s life. By relating to the characters in the book, the reader develops greater self-awareness. The inspirational examples in characters can lead to attitude change.

2.2 Experiential learning

The relationship between experiential learning and personal transformation is described best by Gene Wade’s Model Case that is a conceptual map of a transformation process. This is an excellent model that gives an individual going through personal transformation the opportunity to not only reflect and write down their feelings but also work in a setting which allows them to work through, conquer their fears, and make a decision that is ultimately best for his/her life [13].

3. Clarification of concepts

The concepts for the profound understanding of this study are discussed below:

3.1 Self-transformation

Self-transformation refers to the act, process, or result of transforming oneself into a better person. This process happens step-by-step going on one own journey of self-transformation without fear of having to share one’s whole head after a slip of the scissors. This is a transformation of one’s thoughts, actions, or behavior. There is also spiritual self-transformation that is a faith-binding self-transformation [14]. Self-transformation refers to the reshaping of oneself that is beyond self-awareness. One shapes oneself to the best of one’s ability through self-awareness and through transforming steps. The first step of transforming oneself is to know that one can. One can change anything, including how one acts, what one says, and what one thinks. Decide what shape one’s life experiences and get rid of the beliefs of self-doubt and know that one can change, one can also transform one’s life. One’s actions and choices will automatically transform your life, but one must be willing to change [15].

Self-transformation is the key to getting oneself unstuck but changing others is tough. The fastest way to get results is to change oneself rather than inspiring others, motivating, or influencing them. One can change one’s perception or change one’s procedure. Self-transformation needs not be dramatic, though to have a dramatic effect it often means simply opening one’s mind to something to which one has been closed, perhaps learning a new skill or sharpening an old one, seeking expert help, conquering self-doubt, fear of failure, or fear of success, or developing a new attitude, adopting a new way of doing things, or forsaking a deluded belief. Even if we do not know how we need to change, the simple act of looking inward with a mind-fully accepting of responsibility for strengthening what weakens, and finding and correcting what misconceptions are held frequently yields remarkable results [16]. Placing self-transformation before workplace transformation is essential not only to create a better work environment but this is also proven to benefit the individuals who practice the key principles of success. Developing attitude and knowing how to transform it in a positive way can show good results. Self-transformation also refers to the process of equipping oneself with essential personal and relational skills to create a more open environment in an organization to maintain a positive attitude. Self-transformation makes one profession-ready and brings immense personal satisfaction too. One cannot make a positive and relevant impact at work without actually practicing certain positive principles/habits. Interventions, such as coaching, management training, and mentoring, create a platform for and facilitate the process of self-transformation of employees, which, in turn, promotes a positive, mutually helpful work environment and creates healthier peer-to-peer, as well as manage-team member relationships. Self-transformation, therefore, does not only benefit an individual but creates a positive impact on people with whom the individual maintains interaction [17].

For this study, self-transformation refers to the transformation of an individual through changing attitudes and mind-set that ultimately reshape an individual. This can result from self-judgment and critical thinking. Self-transformation enables an individual to understand his/her responsibility, openness, willingness, respect, and civic-mindedness. Spiritual-transformation is also included in this understanding of the concept resulting changes in the propensity for doing positive things in the community and at the workplace. In this regard, one must know that everything is possible to change. This self-transformation benefits both the community and or the workplace and the individual. Self-transformation is only possible if one knows oneself.

3.2 Democratic culture

A democratic culture is a culture of living together as equals in culturally diverse democratic societies. People live peacefully together with others in culturally diverse democratic societies. A democratic culture is a culture that values human dignity and human rights. This value is based on the general belief that every human being is of equal worth, has equal dignity, is entitled to equal respect, and is entitled to the same set of human rights and fundamental freedoms and ought to be treated accordingly. This value is also based on the general belief that other cultural affiliation, cultural variability and diversity, and pluralism of perspectives, views, and practices ought to be positively regarded, appreciated, and cherished. The principles of justice, fairness, equality, and the rule of law should predominate the culture [6].

A democratic culture also refers to a set of values, attitudes, and practices shared by citizens and institutions, without which democracy cannot exist. This set includes commitment to the rule of law and human rights, a commitment to public sphere, conviction that conflicts must be resolved peacefully with acknowledgment of, and respect for diversity, a willingness to express one’s own opinions, willingness to listen to the opinions of others and a commitment to a decision made by the majority [18].

For this study, democratic culture refers to a culture designed within the framework of democracy where human dignity is of paramount importance, a culture where people treat one another with equality and fairness. No one is expected to be dehumanized in this culture. The proselytizing ideologue leadership does not have a platform but leadership that adheres to the egalitarian principles is imperative. The researcher agrees with both Barrett [6] and Lahdesmaki [18] in that the democratic culture’s value is based on the general belief that every human being is of equal worth, has equal dignity, is entitled to equal respect, and is entitled to the same set of human rights and fundamental freedoms and ought to be treated accordingly.

3.3 Participatory action research approach

Community-based participatory action research includes those affected by a community-based problem in collaboration with someone who has research skills required to conduct research on and analyze the problem with the aim of developing strategies to resolve the problem. Community-based participatory action research replaces the traditional research, which relies on the academic researcher. Community members refer to those directly affected by the problem, and they should be asked what they need. The researcher recruits members of the community affected because they are familiar with and are known by the community. The community members work with the researcher as colleagues and participate in the conception and design of the project, data collection, and data analysis. The community members can also participate in reporting the results of the project or study [19].

The people affected by the problem decide to address that problem. They explore, discuss, and negotiate as people affected by the problem. Community members generate ideas and develop plans that can help them to solve their problems. They implement the plan and evaluate the effectiveness of the plan. The effectiveness of the plan should result in the adoption of the plan or the development of another plan. This process develops in a spiral until the people affected are satisfied. During the whole process, all participants develop learning with real understanding of the situation. Community members recognize the problem identified, collect evidence, organize, and analyze the information [20].

For this study, participatory action research refers to the process of involving community members actively in the identification of their problems and development of strategies that can be adopted toward mitigating community-based problem in a particular community. The participants are involved in the analysis of the findings from their discussions and individual interviews with the assistance of a researcher. Participatory action research is half academic and half reality. The participants generate implementation plan for what they would like to do in their community to mitigate the problem. This enables community members to evaluate their strategies for improvement. The researcher confirmed the statement of the Center for Community Health and Development [19] and Wals [20] that community members work with the researcher as colleagues and participate in the conception and design of the project, data collection, and data analysis.

4. Research design and methodology

The researcher adopted a participatory action research approach within a critical paradigm. Critical paradigm aims toward the empowerment of the participants. Participatory action research seeks a more holistic understanding and better ways of achieving change than traditional research. The whole process is based on the principle of self-development, in which people must organize themselves into action. This methodology acknowledges the value of the opinions and thoughts of all people in the community. The researcher and community members are equal partners in the research process, and the beneficiaries should participate in solutions to their own problems. All parties involved should continue to feel that they are contributing and that it is significant both personally and for the group [21]. For this study, critical paradigm focuses on the empowerment of the community members to transform themselves as individuals and understand the principles of a democratic culture. The focus group was established after several discussions with community members at the Chief’s kraal. The purpose of the discussions and interviews was to ascertain how participants could change from a selfishness attitude and mind-set. Another purpose was to show the significance of self-transformation in a democratic culture. The focus group was duly established and included three traditional leaders, two church leaders, three policing staff, three civic organization members, three educators, two health care practitioners, three members from the victim empowerment group, and three community policing forum selected purposively. Twenty-two (22) participants were purposively selected for the study. The purpose of selecting these participants was to ascertain their perceptions and strategies that could be adopted to encourage self-transformation in the community. The researcher employed a qualitative technique, including focus group discussions and interviews for data collection. Each focus group member used his/her means of transport to a particular selected school. The discussions and interviews were conducted in the afternoon from 16 h30-18 h30. The purpose of conducting discussions and interviews in the late afternoon was to use the most convenient time to the participants. The focus group discussions and interviews were based on identified themes. The findings were then discussed and synthesized by the focus group. Their responses were analyzed using data matrix. It was recommended that the suggested strategies should be communicated succinctly and clearly with community members at their meetings. Their feedback was reported as participatory action research.

5. Focus group’s responses to discussions

The focus group’s discussions clearly indicated the ontology and the epistemology of the study. The first phase of the discussions reflected the nature of reality, while the second phase alluded to the suggestions to alleviate community-based problems through self-transformation linked to a positive attitude and mind-set change. The responses are discussed below:

5.1 The nature of the reality

In the first phase of the discussions, the focus group identified some of the community-based problems that emanated from the lack of self-transformation through attitude and mind-set change. As a result of a negative attitude and mind-set, numerous problems developed in some communities. These problems included crime, poverty, teenage pregnancy, water pollution, ritual murders, sexually transmitted diseases, poor quality of education, corruption, unfair land distribution, leadership style, kidnapping of children, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health problem, stroke, and spiritual transformation.

In a democratic culture, people are expected to respect one another, as well as their properties and belongings. In most of the communities, the survival of the strongest prevails because those who have power and money appear to enjoy privileges in their communities forgetting that equality and fair treatment are for all. If perpetrators could change their attitudes and mind-set in this democratic culture, people would live harmoniously and peacefully. There are many people who are poor for different reasons, for example, teenage pregnancy is increasing and is a serious community-based problem, and in the country. This appears to be triggered by the desire for misunderstanding and misuse of the child grant. Although water is one of the basic needs, people still pollute water by dumping pumpers in rivers and valleys. In this democratic culture, laws and policies are in place for justice for all, but some community members do not adhere to or comply with them.

The community is also plagued by ritual murders for different reasons or beliefs. In addition, sexually transmitted diseases are destroying the lives and future of the people, especially youth. HIV/AIDs is one of the most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases. Furthermore, drug and alcohol abuse are impacting on communities negatively since most of the youth are seriously involved in this abuse; with some community members even suffering from mental disorders due to drug and alcohol abuse. Moreover, participants reported that children were kidnapped almost time and again for self-enrichment of the perpetrators. The perpetrator would demand millions to release children back to their families. This mind-set needs to change. Again, community is reluctant to contribute significantly to the education of their children for better quality of education in different ways, including the motivation of their children. Corruption seems to be dehumanizing some of community members because they are not treated equally with those who have opportunities to be in the leadership or authority in all spheres of governance due to selfishness and egoism. This also affects the distribution of land to community members by the proselytizing ideologue leaders. The leadership have illusion about themselves. Such attitude and mind-set need to change.

All the above formed the nature of reality in some of the communities despite the fact that they were in a democratic culture that emphasized the principle of responsibility. The question remains: Who is responsible for what is discussed above? Community-based problems can be alleviated if community members transform as individuals. Perspective transformation relies primarily on critical reflection, reason, and nationality. Individuation and authenticity are all significant in the transformation of an individual and closely related. People have to see who they are and express that sense of self in the community and in relationship with others. If there is no self-transformation, life appears to be falling apart. The participants made suggestions regarding the mitigation of the community-based problems through attitude and mind-set change. The suggestions are discussed below: Figure 1: Life before self-transformation.

Figure 1.

Life before self-transformation.

5.2 Suggestions relating to self-transformation through attitude and mind-set change

The focus group suggested that if people individually understood the concept of human rights, people would respect one another and even the possessions of others. If people do not understand human rights, they should read them comprehensively so as to change their attitude and mind-set. Knowledge plays a magnificent role in changing the attitudes, behavior, and mind-set of a person. If you are uncertain of something, one has to ask someone who appears to be knowledgeable about the problem. It is possible to change if one can analyze the principles of democracy as an individually. If one does not want to be dehumanized, it is important to be a humanitarian in one’s country and community. Self-knowledge can drive the principles of democracy resulting in own self-transformation. When people use to influence others to achieve their own interests, they should think critically to transform their attitude and mind-set. People in the community kill one another labelling victims as witches hence change in mind-set, through awareness of self-transformation should be organized to enable these individuals to transform themselves. Another level of thinking is reflected in stealing someone’s belongings so as to build and develop one’s business. Respecting another person and according him/her dignity, through hardworking and building and developing one’s business instead of resorting to theft.

Many people in communities do not want to work because of unfavorable workplace conditions some of which have resulted from the leaderships or unsuitable infrastructure. Such people remain jobless, including educators who resign due to the new curriculum, lack of promotion, and resistance to change, and they blame other people for not being able to support their families. Instead of self-transforming so as to cope, they opt to resign. However, if there are no job opportunities, one must think of creating job opportunities oneself. This may mean a change in attitudes and mind-set instead of expecting things to happen or beyond their control, such as workplace transformation. Sometimes to establish a better workplace, one should transform oneself. Some learners, for example, change their schools yearly thinking that they can find better schools instead of changing their attitudes and mind-sets. Others blame educators for poor performance, and they often play truant instead of changing attitude and mind-set. If learners can transform themselves, they could be supported by educators in any school. A better school can be established by self-transformed educators and learners; hence, workplace transformation can prevail. A better educator or learner can make for a better school. Parents too can only blame themselves when they shifted their responsibilities after the advent of democracy. Each parent is responsible for the upbringing of his/her children with a full understanding of their culture and customs. Nobody understands their culture and customs better than they themselves. Both tradition and culture can contribute significantly to attitude and mind-set change of the youth through moral regeneration. For this reason, parents need to change their attitudes and mind-set when advising their children. There is nothing wrong with the re-enculturation of their children for the development and promotion of a responsibly coherent individual who can analyze ways of doing things in an ethical manner.

The participants indicated that those who would like to be community leaders should develop civic-mindedness so that they can work with the people’s interests in mind instead of their own interests. A leader should forget about him/herself and think about the community. To avoid corruption, one should have the ability to balance his/her interest with the community’s interests, for example, when one knows that one does not have the capacity to do something, one has to accept that someone else could do it better. One has to be open and transparent with other people and take one’s responsibilities seriously. Learning to criticize an idea instead of a person especially if the idea is new is the mark of a transformed person who knows that nobody knows everything just as no one knows nothing in life. In changing one’s mind, one must not be too ambitious, selfish, self-centered, and egoistical.

Communities are plagued by Gender-based violence. Ignorant individuals need to change their attitudes toward women and children as they are the most vulnerable groups in the community. A woman is a person who deserves to live like any other person. If there is a problem with a particular female, there are many ways to find the solution rather than assaulting, killing, and/or raping her. Manhood or parenting education is paramount in this regard in order to change attitudes and mind-set of the perpetrators. Most problems have solutions, even if it means discussions, one’s problem and reaching out for sound advice. There are some in the community, such as businesspeople who believe in the power of human body parts to establish and develop their businesses. Such people should gain entrepreneurial knowledge by attending workshops, courses, and/or conferences to glean knowledge related to business. All these knowledge institutions can help them to modernize their businesses through mind-set change. Self-knowledge, self-analysis, self-acceptance, and self-empowerment are fundamental in the journey of self-transformation. In short, there are strategies that can be used to develop one’s business without resorting to having human body parts to buy good fortune. Partnerships and financial support from finance institutions can be considered. Adult education can play a significant role in changing one’s business. A person who does not have knowledge is often a danger to the community. Self-transformation is, therefore, crucial for the development of a business in a modern world where expertise and ethics are required.

In the community, unprotected sexual activities, which result in sexually transmitted diseases, are common. If one needs to change one’s attitude and mind-set about sexually transmitted diseases, one needs to obtain explicit information from the right people, including health practitioners so that one knows there is a risk to life. Reliable knowledge about these activities can change the general level of thinking and the desire to be responsible. The same applies to diet, for example, respondents were aware of salt and fat being the cause of hypertension, obesity, and another lifestyle. To avoid such and complications one needs to get rid of the excessive use of these. This does not need to be enforcement, but an individual responsibility is recommended. When selecting food, nice food is not necessarily healthy and to consult the health practitioners can be considered. Life after self-transformation appears to be harmonious and peaceful. Figure 2 shows life after self-transformation.

Figure 2.

Life after self-transformation.

The responses to the interview and discussion questions indicated that there was vast number of community-based problems, resulting from a lack self-transformation. The participants showed an understanding of some of the principles of democracy. There was a need that whenever community members have meetings the issue of self-transformation should always be on the programe. Their responses confirmed that self-transformation could strengthen the interpersonal relationships, restoration of human dignity, and the economic development. Without the knowledge of consequences resulting from certain activities, attitude, and mind-set changes are difficult to implement. Self-transformation is fundamental in both the community and workplace for the improvement of the quality of life and production. No matter how one has been characterized by other personalities, one can however still transform oneself into someone who has admirable and desirable qualities.

6. Conclusion

Self-transformation was confirmed not to be a difficult process, but participants believed that self-transformation could help to develop communities. Knowledge and understanding are crucial in the self-transformation. The participants, however, appeared to lack knowledge regarding the starting point of self-transformation. Self-reflection and critical analysis can assist an individual to become a new person, even by using others as role models. The participants needed education and training to respond to their challenges, that needed a new person with a new goal to achieve. The participants confirmed that their beliefs needed to be re-evaluated but the “how question” remained; however, the need for someone else with knowledge of a particular aspect was included in their suggestions.

The literature clearly ascertains that self-transformation is a journey toward improving the quality of one’s life. This is a continuous process that needs to be developed through knowledge and skills acquisition. Although personal transformation is not an easy process, there are strategies that can be adopted to empower people to do better in their communities and workplace. Learning, therefore, plays a significant role in the transformation of an individual. No one can simply become what he/she does not envisage in relation to his/her profession or relationship with other employees or community members; therefore, one must know what one would like to be and set goals and strategies to achieve objectives.

Unless otherwise self-transformation prevails within an individual, peace, harmony, and economic development can hardly be expected in communities and the workplace. Communities are endangered by community-based problems, resulting from the lack of self-realization and self-esteem. Democracy solely is not enough to change a community without self-transformation. Unfortunately, people fight for workplace transformation rather than self-transformation that can have a significant impact on their lives and workplace, especially in a democratic culture where people are expected to respect one another. A change of attitude and mind-set can create harmonious and reciprocal relationships in communities. Young people are negatively affected by drug and alcohol abuse. Some of them happen to involve themselves in criminal activities because of a lack of self-transformation. Although they can attend church services, such spiritual transformation can never happen if they do not change their attitudes and mind-set regarding own wrongdoings. If people can fight for democratic culture, they can also fight for an individual transformation to add value to democracy, which requires mutual respect one another. Lifelong learning, Adult and community education can provide knowledge that can change the attitudes and mind-set of an individual, that can ultimately improve the quality of life; hence, lifelong education is paramount. There is a need for education for community members to transform their unacceptable antisocial detrimental habits into acceptable habits for the benefit of the community and the country. This includes education that can provide training for people on humanitarian principles, sensitivity, and relationships, and education and training that can explore methods and strategies for one’s transformation that also benefit organizations and institutions..