---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To merely survive change is insufficient…"
description: "\"“To merely survive change is insufficient; the mandate is to dominate it through proactive resilience.”\" — Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr-14370_change_to-merely-survive-change-is-insufficient_448570.jpg"
---

#  To merely survive change is insufficient; the mandate is…

![“To merely survive change is insufficient; the mandate is to dominate it through proactive resilience.” quote by Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr-14370_change_to-merely-survive-change-is-insufficient_448570.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr-14370_change_to-merely-survive-change-is-insufficient_448570.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr-14370_change_to-merely-survive-change-is-insufficient_448570.jpg)

> ““To merely survive change is insufficient; the mandate is to dominate it through proactive resilience.””

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Survival isn’t enough; one must dominate change through proactive resilience.

**In simple terms:** Proactively dominate change, don’t just survive.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate proactive resilience.

Themes

change management leadership resilience

Mood

strategic empowering

Type

leadership inspirational

When to use this quote

- corporate transformation
- crisis response
- personal growth

Key Concepts

organizational behavior strategic planning psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you build resilience before change?
- What proactive steps can you take today?

A Different Perspective

Dominating change may ignore collaborative aspects.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-management/) [Executive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executive/) [Mandate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mandate/) [R6-resilience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/r6-resilience/) [Resilience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resilience/)

## Related quotes

> [“The R6 Resilience Change Management Framework is a cyclical framework that consists of six iterative puzzle pieces: 1. Review the Macro/Micro Changes: This iteration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/the-r6-resilience-change-management-framework-is-a-cyclical-framework/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“Restructuring an organization is a significant undertaking, and its success cannot be assumed merely by the implementation of new charts or policies. To truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/restructuring-an-organization-is-a-significant-undertaking-and-its/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“Effective board meetings encourage active participation from all board members, fostering a culture of open communication and respectful debate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/effective-board-meetings-encourage-active-participation-from-all/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“Good strategy requires board members to think beyond the boardroom and recognize and reward employees who demonstrate stewardship behaviors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/good-strategy-requires-board-members-to-think-beyond-the-boardroom/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“By prioritizing a holistic approach to diversity, companies can create a boardroom that truly reflects the multifaceted nature of their stakeholders and maximizes their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/by-prioritizing-a-holistic-approach-to-diversity-companies-can-create/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“Diversity should not be pursued solely for its own sake but as a strategic advantage. A diverse board brings a wealth of perspectives, experiences,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/diversity-should-not-be-pursued-solely-for-its-own-sake-but-as-a/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“Without a clear definition of success, board discussions can become disjointed, with members focusing on different priorities and potentially conflicting agendas. It can also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/without-a-clear-definition-of-success-board-discussions-can-become/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“The R6 Resilience Change Management Framework's underlying assumptions are more aligned with the complexities of the 21st-century business environment, ancient wisdom, and with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/the-r6-resilience-change-management-framework-s-underlying/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“The R6 framework's fourth iteration, Redirect Capabilities, is really what I call the beating heart of the framework – it’s where organizations take decisive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/the-r6-framework-s-fourth-iteration-redirect-capabilities-is-really/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“R6 views change not just as managing a disruption event or a disruptive cause, but as an opportunity for fundamental transformation and renewal, akin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/r6-views-change-not-just-as-managing-a-disruption-event-or-a/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“Resilience is not a static state but a continuous process. It’s not about reaching a point when you don’t have to change anymore –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/resilience-is-not-a-static-state-but-a-continuous-process-it-s-not/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“It's not just about adapting for survival; it's about building organizations that contribute positively to society now and for a long time to come,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/it-s-not-just-about-adapting-for-survival-it-s-about-building/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“The R6 Resilience Change Management Framework™ is a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of a business with its economic environment, and its value-centric…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/the-r6-resilience-change-management-framework-is-a-holistic-approach/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“every innovation is a remix of the perennial, prompting a deeper appreciation for the underlying constancy beneath the surface of change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/every-innovation-is-a-remix-of-the-perennial-prompting-a-deeper/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“restructuring the organization to embrace more agile and adaptive models is a critical step in building resilience. By moving beyond traditional hierarchies, designing effective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/restructuring-the-organization-to-embrace-more-agile-and-adaptive/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

## More by Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr

> [“Without a clear definition of success, board discussions can become disjointed, with members focusing on different priorities and potentially conflicting agendas. It can also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/without-a-clear-definition-of-success-board-discussions-can-become/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“There’s a best time for everything – including the acquisition of capital.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/there-s-a-best-time-for-everything-including-the-acquisition-of/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“We all have a responsibility to be efficient stewards of resources.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/we-all-have-a-responsibility-to-be-efficient-stewards-of-resources/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“Lenders want to have peace of mind when it comes to getting their money back plus profit – collateral is one thing that gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/lenders-want-to-have-peace-of-mind-when-it-comes-to-getting-their/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“Company leaders should understand regulatory compliance because it is crucial for maintaining legal and ethical business practices. A comprehensive understanding of compliance ensures they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/company-leaders-should-understand-regulatory-compliance-because-it-is/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“The increasing complexity and pace of change demand more agile and collaborative organizational structures.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/the-increasing-complexity-and-pace-of-change-demand-more-agile-and/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“By fostering a culture of experimentation and learning, organizations can significantly enhance their capacity to innovate, adapt, and thrive in a constantly changing world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/by-fostering-a-culture-of-experimentation-and-learning-organizations/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“When divorce or separation involves mutual children, it's often the father who suffers the most as a parent and the children who suffer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/when-divorce-or-separation-involves-mutual-children-it-s-often-the/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“restructuring the organization to embrace more agile and adaptive models is a critical step in building resilience. By moving beyond traditional hierarchies, designing effective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/restructuring-the-organization-to-embrace-more-agile-and-adaptive/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“I advocate for fatherhood because of the trauma I experienced as a father. When I separated from my daughters mother, she literally tried to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/i-advocate-for-fatherhood-because-of-the-trauma-i-experienced-as-a/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“Companies should manage tax liabilities strategically to optimize financial resources, enhance profitability, and ensure compliance with tax laws. Effective tax management reduces the tax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/companies-should-manage-tax-liabilities-strategically-to-optimize/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“every innovation is a remix of the perennial, prompting a deeper appreciation for the underlying constancy beneath the surface of change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/every-innovation-is-a-remix-of-the-perennial-prompting-a-deeper/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“Change has to do with an organizations identity, not just its operations. Operations follow identity, not the other way around. So when we think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/change-has-to-do-with-an-organizations-identity-not-just-its/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“The R6 Resilience Change Management Framework™ is a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of a business with its economic environment, and its value-centric…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/the-r6-resilience-change-management-framework-is-a-holistic-approach/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

> [“R6 views change not just as managing a disruption event or a disruptive cause, but as an opportunity for fundamental transformation and renewal, akin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/r6-views-change-not-just-as-managing-a-disruption-event-or-a/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

[Explore all 47 Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/)

## More Change quotes

> [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/)

[Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/)

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/)

Phil Hogan

> [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/)

[William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/)

> [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/)

[Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/)

> [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/)

[Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/)

> [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/)

[Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/)

> [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

> [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/)

[Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/)

> [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/)

[Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/)

> [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/)

[Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/)

> [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/)

[Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/)

[Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“To merely survive change is insufficient; the mandate is to dominate it through proactive resilience.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/to-merely-survive-change-is-insufficient-the-mandate-is-to-dominate/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Change"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/to-merely-survive-change-is-insufficient-the-mandate-is-to-dominate/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr-14370_change_to-merely-survive-change-is-insufficient_448570.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr-14370_change_to-merely-survive-change-is-insufficient_448570.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr-14370_change_to-merely-survive-change-is-insufficient_448570.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“To merely survive change is insufficient; the mandate is to dominate it through proactive resilience.” — Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“To merely survive change is insufficient;...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/to-merely-survive-change-is-insufficient-the-mandate-is-to-dominate/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr/to-merely-survive-change-is-insufficient-the-mandate-is-to-dominate/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
