Tribalism reflects strong ethnic or cultural identities that separate members of one group from another, making them loyal to people like them and suspicious of outsiders, which undermines efforts to forge common cause across groups.
People often resist change for reasons that make good sense to them, even if those reasons don't correspond to organizational goals. So it is crucial to recognize, reward, and celebrate accomplishments.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People resist change due to their own beliefs and motivations, which might not align with the goals of an organization. Recognizing and celebrating achievements can help facilitate necessary changes.
This quote emphasizes the common tendency of individuals to resist change, driven by personal beliefs and justifications that may conflict with the objectives of an organization. It highlights the importance of acknowledging and celebrating individual accomplishments as a means to foster a culture that is more adaptable to change. By aligning individual motivations with organizational goals through recognition, a more cohesive and supportive environment for change can be created.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting, I shared this quote to encourage members to embrace change and recognize each other's efforts.
More from Rosabeth Moss Kanter
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I say, when your hair turns gray and your children think they know who you are, do the thing that shakes up who you think you are, even who you had prided yourself on being. When all those around you say they simply don't recognize you any longer, that's the real compliment.
It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime.