About Quote by John P. Kotter
“The vast majority of large scale change efforts fail. Which means that the probability that you have actually experienced a failure, and your people know that and are pessimistic, therefore, about trying something again, is very high.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Leading Change, John P. Kotter, 1996
Large‑scale initiatives often collapse because early failures breed pessimism and reluctance to try again.
In simple terms: Failures discourage future attempts.
Key Takeaway
Address early setbacks openly to rebuild confidence.
Themes
change management
failure
optimism
leadership
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advisory
analytical
When to use this quote
- project launches
- team restructuring
- new product rollouts
- policy reforms
Key Concepts
psychology
organizational behavior
risk perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders turn early failures into learning opportunities?
- What structures sustain confidence after setbacks?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming optimism may ignore deeper systemic issues.
