--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is a world of process, not a world…" description: "\"This is a world of process, not a world of things.\" — Margaret J. Wheatley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fd/margaret-j-wheatley-4368_inspirational_this-is-a-world-of-process-not-a-world-o_891117.png" --- # This is a world of process, not a world of things. ![“This is a world of process, not a world of things.” quote by Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fd/margaret-j-wheatley-4368_inspirational_this-is-a-world-of-process-not-a-world-o_891117.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fd/margaret-j-wheatley-4368_inspirational_this-is-a-world-of-process-not-a-world-o_891117.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fd/margaret-j-wheatley-4368_inspirational_this-is-a-world-of-process-not-a-world-o_891117.png) > “This is a world of process, not a world of things.” [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective organizations focus on processes and relationships, not just material outcomes. **In simple terms:** Process over product. Key Takeaway Emphasize processes in management. Themes leadership process systems organization Mood thoughtful instructive Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - project management - team building - change initiatives Key Concepts systems thinking continuous improvement collaboration Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance process with innovation? - When should process be simplified? A Different Perspective Over‑emphasis on process can stifle creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“The most time consuming process in the world is probably "thinking".”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/the-most-time-consuming-process-in-the-world-is-probably-thinking/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Man unites himself with the world in the process of creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/man-unites-himself-with-the-world-in-the-process-of-creation/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“Most economic histories of the "world" not only omit most extra-European production and exchange (even most of that outside West Europe or even northwest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andr-gunder-frank/most-economic-histories-of-the-world-not-only-omit-most-extra/) [André Gunder Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andr-gunder-frank/) > [If there were no contradictions and no struggle, there would be no world, no process, no life, and there would be nothing at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/if-there-were-no-contradictions-and-no-struggle-there-would-be-no/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [“It was as if nothing wrong could happen in a world where things balanced so stilly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/it-was-as-if-nothing-wrong-could-happen-in-a-world-where-things/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [World only has two things: Things you can eat and things you can no eat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hironobu-sakaguchi/world-only-has-two-things-things-you-can-eat-and-things-you-can-no-eat/) Hironobu Sakaguchi > [There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/there-are-things-to-confess-that-enrich-the-world-and-things-that/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [“... the great novels of the world were about three things - death, money and sex. Occasionally a whale.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-atkinson/the-great-novels-of-the-world-were-about-three-things-death-money-and/) [Kate Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-atkinson/) > [The Goddess is not separate from the world – She IS the world, and all things in it: moon, sun, earth, star, stone, seed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/starhawk/the-goddess-is-not-separate-from-the-world-she-is-the-world-and-all/) [Starhawk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/starhawk/) > [“The world of things entered your infant mind To populate that crystal cabinet. Within its walls the strangest partners met, And things turned thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-huxley/the-world-of-things-entered-your-infant-mind-to-populate-that-crystal/) [Julian Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-huxley/) > [You enter a completely new world where things aren't at all what you're used to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-witten/you-enter-a-completely-new-world-where-things-aren-t-at-all-what-you/) [Edward Witten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-witten/) > [Spring in the world! And all things are made new!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hovey/spring-in-the-world-and-all-things-are-made-new/) [Richard Hovey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hovey/) > [A new world is not made simply by trying to forget the old. A new world is made with a new spirit, with new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/a-new-world-is-not-made-simply-by-trying-to-forget-the-old-a-new/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [The world has become too full of many things, an over furnished room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freya-stark/the-world-has-become-too-full-of-many-things-an-over-furnished-room/) [Freya Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freya-stark/) > [See, the world is full of things more powerful than us. But if you know how to catch a ride, you can go places,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-stephenson/see-the-world-is-full-of-things-more-powerful-than-us-but-if-you-know/) [Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/) ## More by Margaret J. Wheatley > [There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/there-is-no-power-for-change-greater-than-a-community-discovering/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [For us, someone who is willing to step forward and help is much more courageous than someone who is merely fulfilling the role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/for-us-someone-who-is-willing-to-step-forward-and-help-is-much-more/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [I believe that the capacity that any organization needs is for leadership to appear anywhere it is needed, when it is needed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/i-believe-that-the-capacity-that-any-organization-needs-is-for/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [Perseverance is a choice. It's not a simple, one-time choice, it's a daily one. There's never a final decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/perseverance-is-a-choice-it-s-not-a-simple-one-time-choice-it-s-a/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/when-we-seek-for-connection-we-restore-the-world-to-wholeness-our/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [Aggression only moves in one direction - it creates more aggression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/aggression-only-moves-in-one-direction-it-creates-more-aggression/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [The future cannot be determined. It can only be experienced as it is occurring. Life doesn't know what it will be until it notices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/the-future-cannot-be-determined-it-can-only-be-experienced-as-it-is/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [A world based on machine images is a world filled with boundaries. In a machine, every piece knows its place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/a-world-based-on-machine-images-is-a-world-filled-with-boundaries-in/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [For eons, humans have struggled to find less destructive ways of living together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/for-eons-humans-have-struggled-to-find-less-destructive-ways-of/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [You can’t hate someone whose story you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/you-can-t-hate-someone-whose-story-you-know/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [we can't be creative if we refuse to be confused. Change always starts with confusion; cherished interpretations must dissolve to make way for what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/we-can-t-be-creative-if-we-refuse-to-be-confused-change-always-starts/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [Determination, energy, and courage appear spontaneously when we care deeply about something. We take risks that are unimaginable in any other context.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/determination-energy-and-courage-appear-spontaneously-when-we-care/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [Aggression only breeds more aggression. It only creates more fear and anger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/aggression-only-breeds-more-aggression-it-only-creates-more-fear-and/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [We are, always, poets, exploring possibilities of meaning in a world which is also all the time exploring possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/we-are-always-poets-exploring-possibilities-of-meaning-in-a-world/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) > [I think a major act of leadership right now, call it a radical act, is to create the places and processes so people can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-j-wheatley/i-think-a-major-act-of-leadership-right-now-call-it-a-radical-act-is/) [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) [Explore all 112 Margaret J. Wheatley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-j-wheatley/) ## More Inspirational quotes > [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/) > [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/) [H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/) > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/if-you-want-to-build-a-ship-don-t-drum-up-the-men-to-gather-wood/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [Too much familiarity breeds contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/too-much-familiarity-breeds-contempt/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [We never really perceive what color is physically!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-is-physically/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) [Browse all 114,561 Inspirational quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "This is a world of process, not a world of things.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Margaret J. 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