--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: John Akers once said that changing IBM's…" description: "\"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 a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db9/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_be-encouraged_john-akers-once-said-that-changing-ibm-s_2770089.png" --- # John Akers once said that changing IBM's culture was more… ![“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 also found out years later. The title of his own book is Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? He and his top executives were change masters at IBM. All…” quote by Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db9/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_be-encouraged_john-akers-once-said-that-changing-ibm-s_2770089.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db9/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_be-encouraged_john-akers-once-said-that-changing-ibm-s_2770089.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db9/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_be-encouraged_john-akers-once-said-that-changing-ibm-s_2770089.png) > “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 also found out years later. The title of his own book is Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? He and his top executives were change masters at IBM. All organizations, especially the larger ones, will always need change masters. Dissatisfaction with the status quo and efforts to improve it should be encouraged rather than discouraged. Regrettably, that is often not the case.” [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. Cultural transformation in large firms is extremely hard, requiring dedicated leaders who champion change despite resistance. **In simple terms:** Changing corporate culture is very hard. Key Takeaway Cultivate change leaders and encourage innovation. Themes change culture leadership resistance innovation organization Mood determined optimistic challenging Type strategic inspirational practical When to use this quote - corporate restructuring - strategic planning sessions - innovation labs - employee engagement programs Key Concepts change management organizational behavior leadership development Questions to Reflect On - Who can be a change champion in your organization? - What obstacles hinder cultural change? A Different Perspective May underestimate the time needed for cultural shift. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be encouraged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-encouraged/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-masters-1929969/) [Changing Ibm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changing-ibm-3235689/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Discouraged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouraged/) [Dissatisfaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissatisfaction/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Executives Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executives-change-3235691/) [Ibm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ibm/) [Ibm Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ibm-culture-3235690/) [Need Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-change-237422/) [Status quo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/status-quo/) ## Related quotes > [Until I came to IBM, I probably would have told you that culture was just one among several important elements in any organization's makeup…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-gerstner/until-i-came-to-ibm-i-probably-would-have-told-you-that-culture-was/) [Lou Gerstner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-gerstner/) > [I came to see, in my time at IBM, that culture isn't just one aspect of the game; it is the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-gerstner/i-came-to-see-in-my-time-at-ibm-that-culture-isn-t-just-one-aspect-of/) [Lou Gerstner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-gerstner/) > [The thing I have learned at IBM is that culture is everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-gerstner/the-thing-i-have-learned-at-ibm-is-that-culture-is-everything/) [Lou Gerstner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-gerstner/) > [Change masters are - literally - the right people in the right place at the right time. The right people are the ones with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/change-masters-are-literally-the-right-people-in-the-right-place-at/) [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [Any individual decisions can be badly thought through, and yet be successful, or exceedingly well thought through, but be unsuccessful, because the recognized possibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rubin/any-individual-decisions-can-be-badly-thought-through-and-yet-be/) [Robert Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rubin/) > [“As you struggle through whatever you are going through remember there is help somewhere, someone out there has solutions, and you will stumble upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/as-you-struggle-through-whatever-you-are-going-through-remember-there/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [Curiosity in children ... is but an appetite after knowledge and therefore ought to be encouraged in them, not only as a good sign,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/curiosity-in-children-is-but-an-appetite-after-knowledge-and/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [Whether it's in in livability, transportation, or the environment, Portland is always leading the country. We have more to do before we achieve our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-blumenauer/whether-it-s-in-in-livability-transportation-or-the-environment/) [Earl Blumenauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-blumenauer/) > [Stop…stop, that’s the next generation of fans… How dare you pass judgment on those 12-year-old girls who like vampires! They need to be encouraged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-smith/stop-stop-that-s-the-next-generation-of-fans-how-dare-you-pass/) [Kevin Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-smith/) > [I noted about Cate Blanchett was her very positive lack of concern for how she turns out in Cinderella. She is happy to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-branagh/i-noted-about-cate-blanchett-was-her-very-positive-lack-of-concern/) [Kenneth Branagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-branagh/) > [What we need most right now, at this moment, is a kind of patriotic grace - a grace that takes the long view, apprehends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/what-we-need-most-right-now-at-this-moment-is-a-kind-of-patriotic/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) ## 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 Be encouraged quotes > [What we need most right now, at this moment, is a kind of patriotic grace - a grace that takes the long view, apprehends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/what-we-need-most-right-now-at-this-moment-is-a-kind-of-patriotic/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [I noted about Cate Blanchett was her very positive lack of concern for how she turns out in Cinderella. She is happy to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-branagh/i-noted-about-cate-blanchett-was-her-very-positive-lack-of-concern/) [Kenneth Branagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-branagh/) > [Stop…stop, that’s the next generation of fans… How dare you pass judgment on those 12-year-old girls who like vampires! They need to be encouraged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-smith/stop-stop-that-s-the-next-generation-of-fans-how-dare-you-pass/) [Kevin Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-smith/) > [Whether it's in in livability, transportation, or the environment, Portland is always leading the country. We have more to do before we achieve our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-blumenauer/whether-it-s-in-in-livability-transportation-or-the-environment/) [Earl Blumenauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-blumenauer/) > [Curiosity in children ... is but an appetite after knowledge and therefore ought to be encouraged in them, not only as a good sign,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/curiosity-in-children-is-but-an-appetite-after-knowledge-and/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [“As you struggle through whatever you are going through remember there is help somewhere, someone out there has solutions, and you will stumble upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/as-you-struggle-through-whatever-you-are-going-through-remember-there/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [Any individual decisions can be badly thought through, and yet be successful, or exceedingly well thought through, but be unsuccessful, because the recognized possibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rubin/any-individual-decisions-can-be-badly-thought-through-and-yet-be/) [Robert Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rubin/) > [Science is not formal logic-it needs the free play of the mind in as great a degree as any other creative art. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-born/science-is-not-formal-logic-it-needs-the-free-play-of-the-mind-in-as/) [Max Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-born/) > [I don't think people should be encouraged to look like Kate Moss; I think that's unreasonable. I think the normal human body should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/i-don-t-think-people-should-be-encouraged-to-look-like-kate-moss-i/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [Colonization was the idea that once slavery ended African-Americans should be encouraged - or required, in some people's view - required to leave the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-foner/colonization-was-the-idea-that-once-slavery-ended-african-americans/) [Eric Foner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-foner/) > [It is notable how little empathy is cultivated or valued in our society. I put this down to our traditional racism and obsessive sectarianism.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/it-is-notable-how-little-empathy-is-cultivated-or-valued-in-our/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [You know as I started as a shy young conductor, I always wanted to cooperate. To build up the musicians. To help them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-masur/you-know-as-i-started-as-a-shy-young-conductor-i-always-wanted-to/) [Kurt Masur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-masur/) > [Young writers need to be encouraged to write - just write - with no restrictions on form, style or content.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/young-writers-need-to-be-encouraged-to-write-just-write-with-no/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Be encouraged. Stay on your hustle. You can't fail until u quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/be-encouraged-stay-on-your-hustle-you-can-t-fail-until-u-quit/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [Studies have shown that performance gets worse as group size increases ... If you have talented and motivated people, they should be encouraged to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/studies-have-shown-that-performance-gets-worse-as-group-size/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) [Browse all 120 Be encouraged quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-encouraged/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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 also found out years later. The title of his own book is Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? He and his top executives were change masters at IBM. 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