John Akers once said that changing IBM's culture was more…
“John Akers once said that changing IBM's culture was more difficult than getting elephants to dance. Of course it's really difficult, as Lou Gerstner also found out years later. The title of his own book is Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? He and his top executives were change masters at IBM. All organizations, especially the larger ones, will always need change masters. Dissatisfaction with the status quo and efforts to improve it should be encouraged rather than discouraged. Regrettably, that is often not the case.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Cultural transformation in large firms is extremely hard, requiring dedicated leaders who champion change despite resistance.
In simple terms: Changing corporate culture is very hard.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate change leaders and encourage innovation.
Themes
change
culture
leadership
resistance
innovation
organization
Mood
determined
optimistic
challenging
Type
strategic
inspirational
practical
When to use this quote
- corporate restructuring
- strategic planning sessions
- innovation labs
- employee engagement programs
Key Concepts
change management
organizational behavior
leadership development
Questions to Reflect On
- Who can be a change champion in your organization?
- What obstacles hinder cultural change?
A Different Perspective
May underestimate the time needed for cultural shift.