The Toothbrush of Change

You cannot directly change an organization. Instead, an organization changes when each individual's beliefs and behaviors are transformed, which in turn changes the organization. Please reread that, and seriously think about it; to change an organization, you must change each and every member of the organization, by changing their beliefs and behaviors, and if that does not work - by actually "changing them" for someone with suitable beliefs and behaviors. This is no simple task.

Understanding the Challenge

To grasp the challenge and time required for such change, consider this analogy: the next time you brush your teeth, use your non-dominant hand. At first, it will feel awkward, uncomfortable, and inefficient. The process will take longer, and the results may not be as effective as they were with your dominant hand.

Now, commit to brushing with your non-dominant hand every day. Gradually, through repetition and persistence, you will adapt. Over time, it will become just as natural and effective as it was with your dominant hand.

Expanding the Effort

Next, imagine convincing your entire family to adopt this same practice. Then, extend this effort to your neighborhood, your community, and beyond. With each additional person, the complexity and difficulty increase exponentially, as each individual brings unique challenges, resistance, and dynamics. Each step introduces new layers of complexity, resistance, and coordination. This is the essence of organizational change.

The Long Road to Change

Changing one person—yourself—can take weeks or months, but implementing effective and sustainable change across a larger group will take months or even years.

It’s about shifting deeply ingrained habits and mindsets, not just for one person but for an entire collective. Just like learning to brush with your non-dominant hand, organizational change requires patience, consistent effort, and a clear vision. Leaders must guide this transformation with empathy and persistence, recognizing that meaningful change is a gradual process that builds over time—one individual, one behavior, one belief at a time.

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