Someone once said that “The greatest enemy of tomorrow’s success is today’s success!” We must remember that one great success not only has potential to eventually deteriorate and die, but during its prime can also prevent us from forward thinking.
Observe again the chart featured in this post; periods of stability will be short and perhaps increasingly so as we continue to move into a future defined by rapid change due to advances in technology, medicine, and other factors. We must embrace a “change ethic” in our organizations, understanding that by not changing we can end up changing what is most important—our vision, mission, and values.
Consider a number of companies that have reinvented themselves by introducing “new sigmoids” in their organizational story:
- Apple: known largely for their computers, they've launched a new sigmoid with an array of devices (iPhones, iPads, watches, airpods) and services (storage, music, Apple TV).
- Lego changed from wood to plastic, redesigned their coupling system, and more recently connected their product to popular film series.
- Regardless of current hurdles and controversies, car manufacturers like
GM are moving toward electric vehicles.
- Lest you think it's only about changing products,
Coca-Cola's “New Coke” was a dismal failure despite evidence from blind taste tests. The Coca-Cola Company has had to "Reinvent Itself In a Changed World" through other means including how they have approached leadership.
All leaders are change agents. Whether or not you are a great or successful leader depends on how you manage the chaos created by divergent opinions across age and ideological sectors. In fact, I believe this will be your greatest challenge as you lead through change going forward into the future!
[Please send me an email if you'd like me to come to your company to help you process change, improve your leadership culture, or inspire your employees toward a better future.]
