--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Great leaders understand that historical…" description: "\"Great leaders understand that historical success tends to produce stable and inwardly focused organizations, and these outfits, in turn, reinforce a fe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/john-p-kotter-7969_contentment_great-leaders-understand-that-historical_617350.png" --- # Great leaders understand that historical success tends to… ![“Great leaders understand that historical success tends to produce stable and inwardly focused organizations, and these outfits, in turn, reinforce a feeling of contentment with the status quo.” quote by John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/john-p-kotter-7969_contentment_great-leaders-understand-that-historical_617350.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/john-p-kotter-7969_contentment_great-leaders-understand-that-historical_617350.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e6/john-p-kotter-7969_contentment_great-leaders-understand-that-historical_617350.png) > “Great leaders understand that historical success tends to produce stable and inwardly focused organizations, and these outfits, in turn, reinforce a feeling of contentment with the status quo.” [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Successful organizations become complacent, reinforcing the status quo and hindering innovation. **In simple terms:** Success can breed complacency. Key Takeaway Challenge complacent cultures. Themes leadership change management organizational behavior Mood cautious analytical Type strategic reflective When to use this quote - corporate strategy - team meetings - performance reviews Key Concepts innovation psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders foster healthy disruption? - What signs show an organization is too comfortable? A Different Perspective Breaking complacency requires risk‑taking which may cause conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Focused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused/) [Great leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-leader/) [Great leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-leaders/) [Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Outfits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outfits/) [Status quo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/status-quo/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [Great leaders understand that the right attitude will set the right atmosphere, which enables the right response from others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/great-leaders-understand-that-the-right-attitude-will-set-the-right/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I'm still committed to the success of the U.K. and the belief of the strong intelligence and passion and determination of the British people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masayoshi-son/i-m-still-committed-to-the-success-of-the-u-k-and-the-belief-of-the/) [Masayoshi Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masayoshi-son/) > [Great leaders motivate large groups of individuals to improve the human condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/great-leaders-motivate-large-groups-of-individuals-to-improve-the/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [“For in the very nature of things, success tends to create pride and blindness in the hearts of men, while suffering teaches them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophon/for-in-the-very-nature-of-things-success-tends-to-create-pride-and/) [Xenophon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophon/) > [Success is one of the worst enemies of success, because success tends to breed complacency and lack of humility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-koch/success-is-one-of-the-worst-enemies-of-success-because-success-tends/) [Charles Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-koch/) > [Success tends to go not to the person who is error-free, because he also tends to be risk-averse. Rather it goes to the person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/success-tends-to-go-not-to-the-person-who-is-error-free-because-he/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [Success tends to bless those who are most committed to giving it the most attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-cardone/success-tends-to-bless-those-who-are-most-committed-to-giving-it-the/) [Grant Cardone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-cardone/) > [“Great leaders have three things; inner light, inner vision, and inner strength.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/great-leaders-have-three-things-inner-light-inner-vision-and-inner/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [“What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths - and can call on the right strength at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/what-great-leaders-have-in-common-is-that-each-truly-knows-his-or-her/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [All great leaders choose great advisors, people they really trust for their governance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-payne/all-great-leaders-choose-great-advisors-people-they-really-trust-for/) [Tom Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-payne/) > [“Great leaders don't make excuses. They make things better. They are not unrealistic or blind to the difficulties they face. They simply are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-t-blackaby/great-leaders-don-t-make-excuses-they-make-things-better-they-are-not/) [Henry T. Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-t-blackaby/) > [“Sonderheim was a man of some calibre, but he had not got to where he was today without demonstrating the characteristics of many of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-c-p-irvine/sonderheim-was-a-man-of-some-calibre-but-he-had-not-got-to-where-he/) [Ian C.P. Irvine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-c-p-irvine/) > [Great leadership and great companies aren't built overnight, and they're not built without capital. And capital can sometimes be counter-productive to building a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-hartz/great-leadership-and-great-companies-aren-t-built-overnight-and-they/) [Julia Hartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-hartz/) > [There was great leadership in this country at the time of World War II. There was also unrelenting resolve at home, in America's factories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-feller/there-was-great-leadership-in-this-country-at-the-time-of-world-war/) [Bob Feller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-feller/) > [“When you are with Marines gathering to eat, you will notice that the most junior are served first and the most senior are served…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/when-you-are-with-marines-gathering-to-eat-you-will-notice-that-the/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) ## More by John P. Kotter > [At any one time the world has a very limited number of Steve Jobs or Winston Churchills or Thomas Watson the firsts. These are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/at-any-one-time-the-world-has-a-very-limited-number-of-steve-jobs-or/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [In a change effort, culture comes last, not first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/in-a-change-effort-culture-comes-last-not-first/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [Motivation is not a thinking word; it's a feeling word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/motivation-is-not-a-thinking-word-it-s-a-feeling-word/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [One of the most common ways to overcome resistance to change is to educate people about it beforehand. Communication of ideas helps people see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/one-of-the-most-common-ways-to-overcome-resistance-to-change-is-to/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [Producing major change in an organization is not just about signing up one charismatic leader. You need a group - a team - to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/producing-major-change-in-an-organization-is-not-just-about-signing/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [Congress is full of people who get reelected and reelected. How can you have urgency when there are all of those safe seats?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/congress-is-full-of-people-who-get-reelected-and-reelected-how-can/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [Commercial organisations that operate responsibly have benefitted by increased revenues of 682% compared to 166% for those that don't](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/commercial-organisations-that-operate-responsibly-have-benefitted-by/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [I am often asked about the difference between 'change management' and 'change leadership,' and whether it's just a matter of semantics. These terms are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/i-am-often-asked-about-the-difference-between-change-management-and/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [Leadership defines what the future should look like, aligns people with that vision, and inspires them to make it happen despite the obstacles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/leadership-defines-what-the-future-should-look-like-aligns-people/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [Over the years I have become convinced that we learn best - and change - from hearing stories that strike a chord within us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/over-the-years-i-have-become-convinced-that-we-learn-best-and-change/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [What's really driving the boom in coaching, is this: as we move from 30 miles an hour to 70 to 120 to 180…as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/what-s-really-driving-the-boom-in-coaching-is-this-as-we-move-from-30/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [In terms of getting people to experiment more and take more risk, there are at least three things that immediately come to my mind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/in-terms-of-getting-people-to-experiment-more-and-take-more-risk/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [Great communicators have an appreciation for positioning. They understand the people they're trying to reach and what they can and can't hear. They send…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/great-communicators-have-an-appreciation-for-positioning-they/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [We worry about appearing awkward in a presentation. But up to a point, most people seem to feel more comfortable with less-than-perfect speaking abilities.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/we-worry-about-appearing-awkward-in-a-presentation-but-up-to-a-point/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [Kotter International is about leading large-scale change, not just managing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/kotter-international-is-about-leading-large-scale-change-not-just/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) [Explore all 85 John P. Kotter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) ## More Contentment quotes > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [I may not have everything I want in life but I have all I will ever need to make my life complete, my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-may-not-have-everything-i-want-in-life-but-i-have-all-i-will-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you can find as much happiness at the bottom of the ladder of success as you can at the top, then you understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-krause/if-you-can-find-as-much-happiness-at-the-bottom-of-the-ladder-of/) [Tom Krause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-krause/) > [There are two sorts of content; one is connected with exertion, the other with habits of indolence. The first is a virtue; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-edgeworth/there-are-two-sorts-of-content-one-is-connected-with-exertion-the/) [Maria Edgeworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-edgeworth/) > [“When we perform at our highest level of potential, we are content. Because we have given I best in what we enjoy doing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/when-we-perform-at-our-highest-level-of-potential-we-are-content/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [Money is made at Christmas out of holly and mistletoe, but who save the vendors would greatly care if no green branch were procurable?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gissing/money-is-made-at-christmas-out-of-holly-and-mistletoe-but-who-save/) [George Gissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gissing/) > [My crown is in my heart, not on my head; not decked with diamonds and Indian stones, nor to be seen: my crown is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/my-crown-is-in-my-heart-not-on-my-head-not-decked-with-diamonds-and/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Most of us are not content with our lot because we want a lot more](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianette-carbito/most-of-us-are-not-content-with-our-lot-because-we-want-a-lot-more/) [Marianette Carbito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianette-carbito/) > [Pleasure simply brings more craving, but the problem is that we try to get contentment through pleasure. True contentment can only come through service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/pleasure-simply-brings-more-craving-but-the-problem-is-that-we-try-to/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [Every human always wants more. We're never satisfied. True happiness doesn't come until we're fully satisfied with what we have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-human-always-wants-more-we-re-never-satisfied-true-happiness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I was so nearly happy. There remained only a tiny something, something unexplained and inexplicable that buzzed in my ear when the lights were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennie-rooney/i-was-so-nearly-happy-there-remained-only-a-tiny-something-something/) Jennie Rooney > [I know well, Monsieur, how much you have to endure in your present duty, and I ask Our Lord to strengthen you in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-know-well-monsieur-how-much-you-have-to-endure-in-your-present-duty/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [One often learns more from ten days of agony than ten years of contentment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merle-shain/one-often-learns-more-from-ten-days-of-agony-than-ten-years-of/) [Merle Shain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merle-shain/) > [Stop complaining and start accepting, everything happens for a reason, you may not notice the importance of the things that you have now, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hemantsmarty/stop-complaining-and-start-accepting-everything-happens-for-a-reason/) Hemantsmarty > [True intimacy is the experience of real acceptance and authentic vulnerability without feeling the need to apologize or fear rejection. The freedom to just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-blake-michiels/true-intimacy-is-the-experience-of-real-acceptance-and-authentic/) [Jordan Blake Michiels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-blake-michiels/) [Browse all 1,355 Contentment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Great leaders understand that historical success tends to produce stable and inwardly focused organizations, and these outfits, in turn, reinforce a feeling of contentment with the status quo.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John P. 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