--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Change masters are - literally - the…" description: "\"Change masters are - literally - the right people in the right place at the right time. The right people are the ones with the ideas that move beyond t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_bases_change-masters-are-literally-the-right-p_1287591.jpg" --- # Change masters are - literally - the right people in the… ![“Change masters are - literally - the right people in the right place at the right time. The right people are the ones with the ideas that move beyond the organization's established practice, ideas they can form into visions. The right places are the integrative environments that support…” quote by Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_bases_change-masters-are-literally-the-right-p_1287591.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_bases_change-masters-are-literally-the-right-p_1287591.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_bases_change-masters-are-literally-the-right-p_1287591.jpg) > “Change masters are - literally - the right people in the right place at the right time. The right people are the ones with the ideas that move beyond the organization's established practice, ideas they can form into visions. The right places are the integrative environments that support innovation, encourage the building of coalitions and teams to support and implement visions. The right times are those moments in the flow of organizational history when it is possible to reconstruct reality on the basis on accumulated innovations to shape a more productive and successful future.” [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective change needs the right people, environment, and timing to turn innovative ideas into reality. **In simple terms:** Success needs people, place, and timing. Key Takeaway Align talent, culture, and timing. Themes leadership innovation change management Mood inspired analytical Type strategic motivational When to use this quote - product development - strategic planning - team formation - market entry - policy reform Key Concepts systems thinking organizational dynamics visionary leadership Questions to Reflect On - How can you identify the optimal moment for change? - What structures foster integrative environments? A Different Perspective Even with perfect fit, resistance can stall implementation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Flow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flow/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Successful Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful-future/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [John Akers once said that changing IBM's culture was more difficult than getting elephants to dance. Of course it's really difficult, as Lou Gerstner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/john-akers-once-said-that-changing-ibm-s-culture-was-more-difficult/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Conversion is a change of masters. Will we not do as much for our new master, the Lord Jesus, as we did once for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/conversion-is-a-change-of-masters-will-we-not-do-as-much-for-our-new/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Wealth and honours, which most men pursue, easily change masters; they desert to the side which excels in virtue, industry, and endurance of toil,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/wealth-and-honours-which-most-men-pursue-easily-change-masters-they/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [To change masters is not to be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/to-change-masters-is-not-to-be-free/) [Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/) > [In a change of masters the poor change nothing except their master's name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedrus/in-a-change-of-masters-the-poor-change-nothing-except-their-master-s/) [Phaedrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedrus/) > [Sometimes you lose - perhaps because you play against the very best, or because surprises happen - but if there is organizational confidence, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/sometimes-you-lose-perhaps-because-you-play-against-the-very-best-or/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Organizational structures that allow divisions and departments to own their turf and people with long tenure to take root creates the same hardened group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/organizational-structures-that-allow-divisions-and-departments-to-own/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [... people are capable of more than their organizational positions ever give them the tools or the time or the opportunity to demonstrate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/people-are-capable-of-more-than-their-organizational-positions-ever/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [What being among the 'right people' entails is the possession of human capital, rather than organizational capital: an individual reputation, portable skills, and network…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/what-being-among-the-right-people-entails-is-the-possession-of-human/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Sports is a perfect activity in which to see streaks and cycles, organizational and otherwise, in action - and to watch confidence build or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/sports-is-a-perfect-activity-in-which-to-see-streaks-and-cycles/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Peter Drucker being one of the most important influences because he has helped to think differently about organizational leadership and management. Frankly, I learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/peter-drucker-being-one-of-the-most-important-influences-because-he/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [I have been fortunate to have my game peak at the right times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiger-woods/i-have-been-fortunate-to-have-my-game-peak-at-the-right-times/) [Tiger Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiger-woods/) > [In this business if you're good, you're right six times out of ten. You're never going to be right nine times out of ten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lynch/in-this-business-if-you-re-good-you-re-right-six-times-out-of-ten-you/) [Peter Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lynch/) > [The cynics are right nine times out of ten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-cynics-are-right-nine-times-out-of-ten/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [It's all about doing the right things at the right times and I believe I can win everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-cross/it-s-all-about-doing-the-right-things-at-the-right-times-and-i/) [Rob Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-cross/) ## More by Rosabeth Moss Kanter > [Not everyone in an organization is in a position to accumulate power through competent performance because most people are just carrying out the ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/not-everyone-in-an-organization-is-in-a-position-to-accumulate-power/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [I wonder whether there has been too much emphasis on teaching women to conform, to fit into the system. Certainly that suits conservative organizations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/i-wonder-whether-there-has-been-too-much-emphasis-on-teaching-women/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [After years of telling corporate citizens to 'trust the system,' many companies must relearn instead to trust their people - and encourage their people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/after-years-of-telling-corporate-citizens-to-trust-the-system-many/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/creativity-is-a-lot-like-looking-at-the-world-through-a-kaleidoscope/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [The difference between "winners" and "losers" is not whether they face obstacles and setbacks - we all do, and it is inevitable that plans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/the-difference-between-winners-and-losers-is-not-whether-they-face/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Friendly people are caring people, eager to provide encouragement and support when needed most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/friendly-people-are-caring-people-eager-to-provide-encouragement-and/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Power is the ability to get things done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/power-is-the-ability-to-get-things-done/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [I've been looking at companies that are on a positive path vs. a negative path and I've come to use the language of sports,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/i-ve-been-looking-at-companies-that-are-on-a-positive-path-vs-a/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Power stems from 'rainmaking,' as law firms put it: the ability to bring resources into the company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/power-stems-from-rainmaking-as-law-firms-put-it-the-ability-to-bring/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Leaders must pick causes they won't abandon easily, remain committed despite setbacks, and communicate their big ideas over and over again in every encounter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/leaders-must-pick-causes-they-won-t-abandon-easily-remain-committed/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Companies used to be able to function with autocratic bosses. We don't live in that world anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/companies-used-to-be-able-to-function-with-autocratic-bosses-we-don-t/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Everything looks like a failure in the middle. In neary every change project, doubt is cast on the original vision because problems are mounting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/everything-looks-like-a-failure-in-the-middle-in-neary-every-change/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Confidence is not lodged in people's brains, it comes from the support system that surrounds them. Let's not confuse confidence overall with just self-confidence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/confidence-is-not-lodged-in-people-s-brains-it-comes-from-the-support/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [During the Boom Years, it was so easy to lose sight of basic values. For example, there was lots of nonsense said and written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/during-the-boom-years-it-was-so-easy-to-lose-sight-of-basic-values/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Winning becomes easier over time as the cornerstones of confidence become habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/winning-becomes-easier-over-time-as-the-cornerstones-of-confidence/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) [Explore all 111 Rosabeth Moss Kanter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) ## More Bases quotes > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [I don't want to go into space because of war. I think we would if it was triggered. If China said they want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-don-t-want-to-go-into-space-because-of-war-i-think-we-would-if-it/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/) [Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/) > [I'm in a business where there's complete anarchy. You can't control it - you can only react to it. The control that people traditionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sorrell/i-m-in-a-business-where-there-s-complete-anarchy-you-can-t-control-it/) [Martin Sorrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sorrell/) > [This tendency to avoid problems and the emotional suffering inherent in them is the primary basis of all human mental illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/this-tendency-to-avoid-problems-and-the-emotional-suffering-inherent/) [Charles R. 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We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [My favorite thing about being a mom is just what a better person it makes you on a daily basis,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/my-favorite-thing-about-being-a-mom-is-just-what-a-better-person-it/) [Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/) > [We have committed ourselves to pursue joint policies, but then national governments say, "We aren't bound by that." That is a dramatic situation, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/we-have-committed-ourselves-to-pursue-joint-policies-but-then/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) Browse all 2,701 Bases quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Change masters are - literally - the right people in the right place at the right time. The right people are the ones with the ideas that move beyond the organization's established practice, ideas they can form into visions. The right places are the integrative environments that support innovation, encourage the building of coalitions and teams to support and implement visions. 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