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Overcoming complacency is crucial at the start of any change process, and it often requires a little bit of surprise, something that grabs attention at more than an intellectual level. You need to surprise people with something that disturbs their view that everything is perfect.

John P. Kotter

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John P. Kotter
Age: 77
Born: 1947
Born: February 25
Economist
Educator
University Teacher
San Diego
California
John Paul Kotter
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Attention
Surprise
Needs
Perfect
Intellectual
Something
Process
View
Disturbs
People
Often
Level
Grabs
Change
Levels
Complacency
Littles
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Crucial
Little
Bits
Overcoming
Everything
Start
Requires

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Most people don't lead their own lives - they accept their lives
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The heart of change is in the emotions.
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We see, we feel, we change.
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If the culture you have is radically different from an 'experiment and take-risk' culture, then you have a big change you going to have to make - and no little gimmicks are going to do it for you.
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We are always creating new tools and techniques to help people, but the fundamental framework is remarkably resilient, which means it must have something to do with the nature of organizations or human nature.
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In an ever changing world, you never learn it all, even if you keep growing into your 90s.
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Good communication is not just data transfer. You need to show people something that addresses their anxieties, that accepts their anger, that is credible in a very gut-level sense, and that evokes faith in the vision.
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In the final analysis, change sticks when it becomes the way we do things around here.
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One of the most common ways to overcome resistance to change is to educate people about it beforehand. Communication of ideas helps people see the need for and the logic of a change. The education process can involve one-on-one discussions, presentations to groups, or memos and reports.
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Great leadership does not mean running away from reality. Sometimes the hard truths might just demoralize the company, but at other times sharing difficulties can inspire people to take action that will make the situation better.
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Leadership is different from management, but not for the reasons most people think.
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Anyone in a large organization who thinks major change is impossible should probably get out.
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Never underestimate the power of a good story.
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Motivation is not a thinking word it's a feeling word.
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