---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Throughout human history, people have…"
description: "\"Throughout human history, people have developed strong loyalties to traditions, rituals, and symbols. In the most effective organizations, they are not..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab1/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_admired_throughout-human-history-people-have-dev_598050.png"
---

#  Throughout human history, people have developed strong…

![“Throughout human history, people have developed strong loyalties to traditions, rituals, and symbols. In the most effective organizations, they are not only respected but celebrated. It is no coincidence that the most highly admired corporations are also among the most profitable.” quote by Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab1/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_admired_throughout-human-history-people-have-dev_598050.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab1/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_admired_throughout-human-history-people-have-dev_598050.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab1/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_admired_throughout-human-history-people-have-dev_598050.png)

> “Throughout human history, people have developed strong loyalties to traditions, rituals, and symbols. In the most effective organizations, they are not only respected but celebrated. It is no coincidence that the most highly admired corporations are also among the most profitable.”

[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.

Traditions and symbols create shared identity; successful firms honor them, boosting morale and profitability.

**In simple terms:** Respecting traditions builds loyalty and profit.

Key Takeaway

Celebrate core rituals to strengthen culture.

Themes

culture loyalty profitability tradition

Mood

proud optimistic

Type

leadership business

When to use this quote

- corporate branding
- employee engagement
- customer loyalty
- change management

Key Concepts

organizational behavior symbolic interaction

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you honor tradition while encouraging change?
- What rituals truly add value?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on tradition can stifle innovation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Admired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admired/) [Admired Corporations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admired-corporations-886747/) [Also](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/also/) [Among](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/among/) [Celebrated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebrated/) [Coincidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coincidence/) [Corporations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corporations/) [Developed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/developed/) [Effective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effective/) [Highly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highly/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-history/) [Loyalties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyalties/) [Loyalties Traditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyalties-traditions-886739/) [Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/most/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Organizations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organizations/) [Organizations Respected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organizations-respected-886743/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Profitable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profitable/) [Respected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respected/) [Rituals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rituals/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Symbols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbols/) [Throughout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/throughout/) [Traditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traditions/)

## Related quotes

> [Throughout human history, people have developed strong loyalties to traditions, rituals, and symbols. In the most effective organizations, they are not only respected but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/throughout-human-history-people-have-developed-strong-loyalties-to-2/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [“I can’t divide Camille’s loyalties. Who knows? He might make the wrong choice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/i-can-t-divide-camille-s-loyalties-who-knows-he-might-make-the-wrong/)

[Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/)

> [“In the human world you had to choose your loyalties carefully. You had to see through to someone's heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/in-the-human-world-you-had-to-choose-your-loyalties-carefully-you-had/)

[Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/)

> [Every individual is a meeting ground for many different allegiances, and sometimes these loyalties conflict with one another and confront the person who harbors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amin-maalouf/every-individual-is-a-meeting-ground-for-many-different-allegiances/)

[Amin Maalouf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amin-maalouf/)

> [“Human history can be viewed as a slowly dawning awareness that we are members of a larger group. Initially our loyalties were to ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/human-history-can-be-viewed-as-a-slowly-dawning-awareness-that-we-are/)

[Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/)

> [They were governed by private loyalties which they did not question. What mattered were individual relationships, and a completely helpless gesture, an embrace, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/they-were-governed-by-private-loyalties-which-they-did-not-question/)

[George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/)

> [When I got the money, the whole burden descended on me, and the realization of what I had done. And it led me then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldrich-ames/when-i-got-the-money-the-whole-burden-descended-on-me-and-the/)

[Aldrich Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldrich-ames/)

> [If we are to survive, our loyalties must be broadened further, to include the whole human community, the entire planet Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/if-we-are-to-survive-our-loyalties-must-be-broadened-further-to/)

[Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/)

> [No important change in ethics was ever accomplished without an internal chage in our intellectual emphasis, loyalties, affections, and convictions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldo-leopold/no-important-change-in-ethics-was-ever-accomplished-without-an/)

[Aldo Leopold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldo-leopold/)

> [“Your loyalties are indecisive at best. You know what that makes you, big boy?’ ‘Definitely a Gemini.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-m-farrugia/your-loyalties-are-indecisive-at-best-you-know-what-that-makes-you/)

[Nathan M. Farrugia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-m-farrugia/)

> [Always question where your loyalties lie. The people you trust will expect it, your greatest enemies will desire it and those you trust the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mccarty/always-question-where-your-loyalties-lie-the-people-you-trust-will/)

[Kevin McCarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mccarty/)

> [“I was hers in ways that those with loyalties of convenience cannot fathom. I loved her beyond words and clothes, and yes beyond even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonja-livingston/i-was-hers-in-ways-that-those-with-loyalties-of-convenience-cannot/)

[Sonja Livingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonja-livingston/)

> [It takes a major unhappiness, a prolonged and bitter experience, to drive us away from loyalties once formed. And sometimes no amount of punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-a-major-unhappiness-a-prolonged-and-bitter-experience-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“She’s a bargirl. You don’t know where her loyalties lie. That one was unconvincing. No one had directed her against me—I was the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/she-s-a-bargirl-you-don-t-know-where-her-loyalties-lie-that-one-was/)

[Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/)

> [“Conservatism aims to maintain in working order the loyalties of the community to perceived truths and also to those truths which in their judgment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr-2/conservatism-aims-to-maintain-in-working-order-the-loyalties-of-the/)

[William F. Buckley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley-jr-2/)

## 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 Admired quotes

> [To me, true style icons have been few and far between. Elizabeth Taylor comes to mind. I never got to meet her while she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-rocha/to-me-true-style-icons-have-been-few-and-far-between-elizabeth-taylor/)

[Coco Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coco-rocha/)

> [Most women you know are very much interested in the man who is reputed to be deeply admired by other women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-desmond/most-women-you-know-are-very-much-interested-in-the-man-who-is/)

[Arthur Desmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-desmond/)

> [The creation of George Smiley, the retired spy recalled to hunt for just such a high-ranking mole in 'Tinker, Tailor,' was extremely personal. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/the-creation-of-george-smiley-the-retired-spy-recalled-to-hunt-for/)

[John le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/)

> [I suppose I'm led to do so by the fact of what happened to my contemporaries - people whom I've admired, people who I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-woodcock/i-suppose-i-m-led-to-do-so-by-the-fact-of-what-happened-to-my/)

[George Woodcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-woodcock/)

> [I always admired virtue - but I could never imitate it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-always-admired-virtue-but-i-could-never-imitate-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I've always looked at guys who I've admired, like John Williams and Lalo Schifrin and Max Steiner, and looked at the choices they made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-giacchino/i-ve-always-looked-at-guys-who-i-ve-admired-like-john-williams-and/)

[Michael Giacchino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-giacchino/)

> [Admired as a saint, defined by my rank. Combined with my strength, my time and my length.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/admired-as-a-saint-defined-by-my-rank-combined-with-my-strength-my/)

[Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/)

> [ \[On her father's death:\] Gone was the person who had known me better than anyone else on earth and who had loved and admired… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-brody/on-her-father-s-death-gone-was-the-person-who-had-known-me-better/)

[Jane Brody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-brody/)

> [I've always admired actors such as Tabu, Nandita Das and Shabana Azmi and I'd like to do the kind of roles that they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanam-saeed/i-ve-always-admired-actors-such-as-tabu-nandita-das-and-shabana-azmi/)

[Sanam Saeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanam-saeed/)

> [In life, if you are intelligent then you will be admired but if you are prominent then you are envied meanwhile if you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeka/in-life-if-you-are-intelligent-then-you-will-be-admired-but-if-you/)

[Jeka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeka/)

> [ He \[A. J. Balfour\] was eminently one of the Cole Porter school of famous men, who only fell to rise again. Picking himself up… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-balfour/he-a-j-balfour-was-eminently-one-of-the-cole-porter-school-of-famous/)

[Arthur Balfour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-balfour/)

> [She never felt sorry for herself, and that was something I decided I admired most in people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/she-never-felt-sorry-for-herself-and-that-was-something-i-decided-i/)

[Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/)

> [Celebrity is never more admired than by the negligent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/celebrity-is-never-more-admired-than-by-the-negligent/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [I have loved, adored and admired Irrfan Khan's work. Some of his movies are remarkable. So, working with him has been an honor and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiku-sharda/i-have-loved-adored-and-admired-irrfan-khan-s-work-some-of-his-movies/)

[Kiku Sharda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiku-sharda/)

> [What! nothing grand and noble to be admired, obeyed, copied? Ah, the lack is not without you, but within you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-mcnair-wright/what-nothing-grand-and-noble-to-be-admired-obeyed-copied-ah-the-lack/)

[Julia McNair Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-mcnair-wright/)

[Browse all 392 Admired quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admired/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Throughout human history, people have developed strong loyalties to traditions, rituals, and symbols. In the most effective organizations, they are not only respected but celebrated. It is no coincidence that the most highly admired corporations are also among the most profitable.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Rosabeth Moss Kanter"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/throughout-human-history-people-have-developed-strong-loyalties-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Admired"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/throughout-human-history-people-have-developed-strong-loyalties-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab1/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_admired_throughout-human-history-people-have-dev_598050.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab1/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_admired_throughout-human-history-people-have-dev_598050.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab1/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_admired_throughout-human-history-people-have-dev_598050.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Throughout human history, people have developed strong loyalties to traditions, rituals, and symbols. In the…” — Rosabeth Moss Kanter",
                "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": "Rosabeth Moss Kanter",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Throughout human history, people have developed...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/throughout-human-history-people-have-developed-strong-loyalties-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/throughout-human-history-people-have-developed-strong-loyalties-to/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
