The remnants of community. It is far easier to build on…
““The remnants of community. It is far easier to build on what remains of a community than to create one from scratch. In my experience, many companies that seem to have lost their sense of community in fact retain it somewhere, even if it is hidden from leaders who have failed to appreciate it. For example, in pharmaceutical companies that have become lumbering behemoths focused on sales and acquisitions, clusters of scientists who remain deeply dedicated to discovering remedies for disease can always be found.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Highlights that existing community bonds persist even in large, fragmented organizations, and can be leveraged instead of building anew.
In simple terms: Communities survive hidden; use them rather than start from scratch.
Identify and nurture existing community strengths.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- corporate restructuring
- R&D teams
- cross‑functional projects
- change management
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders uncover hidden community assets?
- What risks arise from relying solely on existing groups?
Hidden communities may be overlooked or undervalued by leadership.