---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not the “change” that matters but…"
description: "\"“It is not the “change” that matters but it is actually your “reaction” and “adaptability” that counts.”\" — Michael Lombardi"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/michael-lombardi-54362_change_it-is-not-the-change-that-matters-but-it_1252384.jpg"
---

#  It is not the “change” that matters but it is actually…

![“It is not the “change” that matters but it is actually your “reaction” and “adaptability” that counts.” quote by Michael Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/michael-lombardi-54362_change_it-is-not-the-change-that-matters-but-it_1252384.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/michael-lombardi-54362_change_it-is-not-the-change-that-matters-but-it_1252384.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/michael-lombardi-54362_change_it-is-not-the-change-that-matters-but-it_1252384.jpg)

> ““It is not the “change” that matters but it is actually your “reaction” and “adaptability” that counts.””

[Michael Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lombardi/)

## About This Quote

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

Success depends more on how you respond to change than on the change itself, emphasizing flexibility and mindset.

**In simple terms:** Reaction and adaptability matter more than change itself.

Key Takeaway

Focus on adaptable responses.

Themes

leadership adaptability mindset change management

Mood

determined reflective

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- career transitions
- market shifts
- personal crises
- team dynamics

Key Concepts

psychology resilience growth mindset

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you improve your reaction to unexpected events?
- What habits foster adaptability?

A Different Perspective

Adaptability alone cannot overcome structural barriers.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Actually Reaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actually-reaction-3952085/) [Adaptability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adaptability/) [Adaptability Counts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adaptability-counts-3952084/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change Matters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-matters-1525317/) [Reaction Adaptability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reaction-adaptability-3952083/) [Respond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respond/)

## Related quotes

> [Without inner change there can be no outer change. Without collective change, no change matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angel-kyodo-williams/without-inner-change-there-can-be-no-outer-change-without-collective/)

[angel Kyodo Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angel-kyodo-williams/)

> [“I take it, since you sought to change matters, I was the one you found boring.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-wildes/i-take-it-since-you-sought-to-change-matters-i-was-the-one-you-found/)

[Emma Wildes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-wildes/)

> [“Keep in mind both the rates of change and the levels of things, and the relationships between them. When determining an acceptable rate of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/keep-in-mind-both-the-rates-of-change-and-the-levels-of-things-and/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [“What matters most is not if our love makes other people change, but that in loving, we change. What matters is that in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/what-matters-most-is-not-if-our-love-makes-other-people-change-but/)

[Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/)

> [“Change is inevitable. Wise leaders anticipate it and adapt quickly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-rivard/change-is-inevitable-wise-leaders-anticipate-it-and-adapt-quickly/)

[Cynthia Rivard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-rivard/)

> [There's a mindset of flexibility and adaptability that comes with us. We don't mind hardship. We don't mind somebody saying, 'Go in and do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-amos/there-s-a-mindset-of-flexibility-and-adaptability-that-comes-with-us/)

[James F. Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-amos/)

> [“adaptability coupled with readiness to flower year after year right from the first, roses are clearly”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-oster/adaptability-coupled-with-readiness-to-flower-year-after-year-right/)

[Maggie Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-oster/)

> [Thea was still under the belief that public opinion could be placated; that if you clucked often enough, the hens would mistake you for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/thea-was-still-under-the-belief-that-public-opinion-could-be-placated/)

[Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/)

> [The fastest thing computers do is go obsolete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-rooney/the-fastest-thing-computers-do-is-go-obsolete/)

[Andy Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-rooney/)

> [“It's a fact— everyone is ignorant in some way or another. Ignorance is our deepest secret. And it is one of the scariest things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/it-s-a-fact-everyone-is-ignorant-in-some-way-or-another-ignorance-is/)

[Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/)

> [I think that human beings have gotten as far as we've gotten because of our adaptability, our ability to adapt, and our ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-silva/i-think-that-human-beings-have-gotten-as-far-as-we-ve-gotten-because/)

[Jason Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-silva/)

> [“Evolution is more about adaptivity than adaptability.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheel-farooq/evolution-is-more-about-adaptivity-than-adaptability/)

[Raheel Farooq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheel-farooq/)

> [We'll have a different set of values, and society will adapt. That doesn't mean these changes are all good, just because we will accept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reischauer/we-ll-have-a-different-set-of-values-and-society-will-adapt-that/)

[Robert Reischauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reischauer/)

> [ My contemplation of life and human nature in that secluded place \[cell 54 of Cairo Central Prison\] taught me that he who cannot change… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anwar-sadat/my-contemplation-of-life-and-human-nature-in-that-secluded-place-cell/)

[Anwar Sadat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anwar-sadat/)

> [if I can't get what I want - well, I'll want what I can get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-maud-montgomery/if-i-can-t-get-what-i-want-well-i-ll-want-what-i-can-get/)

[Lucy Maud Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-maud-montgomery/)

## More by Michael Lombardi

> [“Doing something for your self is selfish and unproductive. Doing something to improve yourself is selfless, and extends your existence into the lives of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lombardi/doing-something-for-your-self-is-selfish-and-unproductive-doing/)

[Michael Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lombardi/)

> [“Anyone can pursue their own particular passion and still embrace the collective and individual tenets of simplicity, presence, and accomplishment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lombardi/anyone-can-pursue-their-own-particular-passion-and-still-embrace-the/)

[Michael Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lombardi/)

> [“The building of a healthy and optimistic psyche is every bit as necessary as the accomplishment of the physical objectives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lombardi/the-building-of-a-healthy-and-optimistic-psyche-is-every-bit-as/)

[Michael Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lombardi/)

> [“You have to focus on the positive side of any given situation in your journey of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lombardi/you-have-to-focus-on-the-positive-side-of-any-given-situation-in-your/)

[Michael Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lombardi/)

> [“It is terrific to share in a joint effort, and give credit to the whole team. But it is wrong to undermine your own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lombardi/it-is-terrific-to-share-in-a-joint-effort-and-give-credit-to-the/)

[Michael Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lombardi/)

[Explore all 6 Michael Lombardi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lombardi/)

## More Adaptability quotes

> [if I can't get what I want - well, I'll want what I can get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-maud-montgomery/if-i-can-t-get-what-i-want-well-i-ll-want-what-i-can-get/)

[Lucy Maud Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-maud-montgomery/)

> [ My contemplation of life and human nature in that secluded place \[cell 54 of Cairo Central Prison\] taught me that he who cannot change… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anwar-sadat/my-contemplation-of-life-and-human-nature-in-that-secluded-place-cell/)

[Anwar Sadat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anwar-sadat/)

> [We'll have a different set of values, and society will adapt. That doesn't mean these changes are all good, just because we will accept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reischauer/we-ll-have-a-different-set-of-values-and-society-will-adapt-that/)

[Robert Reischauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reischauer/)

> [“Evolution is more about adaptivity than adaptability.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheel-farooq/evolution-is-more-about-adaptivity-than-adaptability/)

[Raheel Farooq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheel-farooq/)

> [I think that human beings have gotten as far as we've gotten because of our adaptability, our ability to adapt, and our ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-silva/i-think-that-human-beings-have-gotten-as-far-as-we-ve-gotten-because/)

[Jason Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-silva/)

> [“It's a fact— everyone is ignorant in some way or another. Ignorance is our deepest secret. And it is one of the scariest things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/it-s-a-fact-everyone-is-ignorant-in-some-way-or-another-ignorance-is/)

[Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/)

> [The fastest thing computers do is go obsolete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-rooney/the-fastest-thing-computers-do-is-go-obsolete/)

[Andy Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-rooney/)

> [Thea was still under the belief that public opinion could be placated; that if you clucked often enough, the hens would mistake you for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/thea-was-still-under-the-belief-that-public-opinion-could-be-placated/)

[Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/)

> [“adaptability coupled with readiness to flower year after year right from the first, roses are clearly”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-oster/adaptability-coupled-with-readiness-to-flower-year-after-year-right/)

[Maggie Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-oster/)

> [There's a mindset of flexibility and adaptability that comes with us. We don't mind hardship. We don't mind somebody saying, 'Go in and do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-amos/there-s-a-mindset-of-flexibility-and-adaptability-that-comes-with-us/)

[James F. Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-amos/)

> [“Change is inevitable. Wise leaders anticipate it and adapt quickly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-rivard/change-is-inevitable-wise-leaders-anticipate-it-and-adapt-quickly/)

[Cynthia Rivard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-rivard/)

> [“Marketing is a never-ending story. It’s about perpetual motion where innovation plays the lead role.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacey-kehoe/marketing-is-a-never-ending-story-it-s-about-perpetual-motion-where/)

[Stacey Kehoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacey-kehoe/)

> [“...such it is with all human sensations that people become gradually used to everything and this is truly a beneficial gift from nature, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-wagevier/such-it-is-with-all-human-sensations-that-people-become-gradually/)

[C. J. Wagevier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-wagevier/)

> [“That was certainly a case of snowballing momentum. Who would've thought he'd succeed being that far behind?" "True. This particular assignment was designed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuto-tsukuda/that-was-certainly-a-case-of-snowballing-momentum-who-would-ve/)

[Yuto Tsukuda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuto-tsukuda/)

> [My point was simply that the war on global terrorism is going to be a long one, and we need to adapt as our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-myers/my-point-was-simply-that-the-war-on-global-terrorism-is-going-to-be-a/)

[Richard Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-myers/)

[Browse all 162 Adaptability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adaptability/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“It is not the “change” that matters but it is actually your “reaction” and “adaptability” that counts.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Michael Lombardi"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lombardi/it-is-not-the-change-that-matters-but-it-is-actually-your-reaction/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Adaptability"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lombardi/it-is-not-the-change-that-matters-but-it-is-actually-your-reaction/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/michael-lombardi-54362_change_it-is-not-the-change-that-matters-but-it_1252384.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/michael-lombardi-54362_change_it-is-not-the-change-that-matters-but-it_1252384.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/michael-lombardi-54362_change_it-is-not-the-change-that-matters-but-it_1252384.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It is not the “change” that matters but it is actually your “reaction” and “adaptability” that counts.” — Michael Lombardi",
                "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": "Michael Lombardi",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lombardi/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“It is not the “change” that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lombardi/it-is-not-the-change-that-matters-but-it-is-actually-your-reaction/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lombardi/it-is-not-the-change-that-matters-but-it-is-actually-your-reaction/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```