“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana
Within this quote are 2 choices –
- If the past was beautiful, it is best to forget it. That way, it can be repeated.
- If the past was ugly, it is best to remember it. That way, it cannot be repeated.
Interestingly, organisations flip this script, when applying it to leadership change.
Organisations with a beautiful journey, have a stable Leadership Team and internal succession planning.
Organisations with an ugly journey, change the entire Leadership Team and recruit from outside.
Imagine an organisation that keeps a Leadership Team that has been through an ugly journey.
Imagine an organisation that changes a Leadership Team that has been through a beautiful journey.
Institutional memory has its uses, choose how you use it.
– Osasu Oviawe