Revolutionary Political Change

Peggy Noonan was writing about political change but it applies to business change.

Almost all revolutionary change inside a business is a battle of internal politics pitting the young versus the old. Young ideas versus old ideas. Younger generation versus the older generation.

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“All revolutions ... are about the young versus the old. The young want revolution and progress, the old are inclined toward stability and peace.” -- Peggy Noonan

Comments

[thom singer]

Looking back over my 20 year career, I have seen many "older" folks fade away in businesses and business organizations. Those who have continued to thrive are the ones who have made friendships and extended their networks to include the "younger" professionals.

Changes come, but does there need to be a revolution in businesses? Both young and old have a lot to learn from each other. If both sides understood this, would companies would find more success?

[john moore (from Brand Autopsy)]

Thom ... my experience tells me that real change within a company comes when a crisis hits. In other words, it's a "forced" change that's revolutuionary. When year-over-year sales fall dramatically, real change happens. When a key account departs, real change happens. When a giant oil spill wrecks havoc, real change happens. Etc.

I don't subscribe to the "break everything" mode. Seen it fail too many times when at Starbucks. Instead, I subscribe to the thinking that a CRISIS is a turning point. A crisis has a way to bringing generations together to turnaround a business.

[Tracy]

Thom, I agree that working together and really listening and sharing ideas between younger and older, we truly could learn a lot and accomplish more and have more success.

While the quote is about revolutionary changes, I think subtle changes are necessary for progression as well, whether the idea for the change comes from young or old, and before a crisis occurs. Proactive changes can be more powerful than reactive ones and can even result in the stability that the "old are inclined toward."

[Steve Jones]

Great point. One reasion among many that change scares the established players is because they are accustomed to the status quo. It is generally good to them, and they profit from it.
The young upstarts don't know the status quo, except that it isn't allowing them to get ahead, so they quickly embrace change.
http://brandlikearockstar.blogspot.com/2011/03/talkin-about-my-generation.html

[Paul]

By the way, you misspelled "political" in your title