Max Planck: On Change

Written by: Bill Sherman on Monday, 16 June 2008, 3:17 AM

“A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die.”

Certainly, Galileo felt pressure from Cardinal Bellarmine and the Inquisition. However, new truths often emerge within the corporate organization. The death of truths are difficult to personally accept. We become enmeshed in our visions and dreams. We hold onto “”old truths” too long, even when rational outsiders would see only an unreasonable persistence. In some ways, we look for the comfort of the familiar to reduce our fears–whether it’s a child embracing a blanket or teddy bear or an adult clinging to an outmoded business practice. We resist change.

If you could embrace one new truth, what would it be? What old truth would you have to let go?

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