Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Why Change is so Difficult




"Corporate culture tends to blind an organization to a need for change until the organization as a whole can accept the reality of the need. But when the need is so obvious that the whole organization can recognize it, competitive advantage in flexibility and speed of response has been lost. On the other hand, if an effort is made before there is a general awareness of the need, it endangers the very ability to lead".
-Why Change is so Difficult, Bruce D Henderson (From The Book: The Boston Consulting Group on Strategy)

Change is a reality of our times. Our very survival depends on our ability to adapt and compete with changing market forces. If we do not recognize the need of a change early on, we loose precious time and competitive advantage. But often we get so much accustomed and comfortable with the status quo, that we turn a blind eye to the possibilities that can open up if we embrace change.

Who are more likely to embrace change?

  1. Visionaries who can foresee the future benefits of embracing change.
  2. People who love to learn new things and believe in lifelong learning.
  3. People dissatisfied with their present circumstances. They do not have anything to loose by embracing change.

Who are more likely to avoid change?

  1. People averse to any kind of risk.
  2. People who are scared of learning and trying out new things outside their comfort zone.
  3. People who have vested interest in preserving the "status quo".

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