Change Quote by Mary Douglas
“If you want to change the culture, you will have to start by changing the organization.”
About This Quote
Changing a culture requires first altering the structures and policies of the organization that embody it.
In simple terms: Culture change starts with organizational change.
Key Takeaway
Focus on systemic change first.
Themes
culture
leadership
change management
Mood
thoughtful
strategic
Type
advisory
leadership
When to use this quote
- company restructuring
- policy reform
- leadership training
- employee engagement
Key Concepts
systems thinking
organizational design
Questions to Reflect On
- What organizational levers can you adjust?
- How will you address underlying beliefs?
A Different Perspective
Changing structures alone may not shift deep‑seated attitudes.
![“You can’t mandate [cultural change], can’t engineer it. What you can do is create the conditions for transformation. You can provide incentives. You can define the marketplace realities and goals. But then you have to trust. In fact, in the end, management doesn’t change culture. Management…” quote by Lou Gerstner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/310/lou-gerstner-21499_can-do_you-can-t-mandate-cultural-change-can-t_1951737.jpg)
