In the early 90s I was attending an academic conference when I heard the speaker quote Exodus chapter 1, verse 8, as a way of addressing institutional change and people's surprise when old securities are stripped away.

Joseph had been number two in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself, but then came a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph and everything changed.  Privilege gave way to persecution.  Distinction was replaced by disregard.  The old became the new and the new was undesirable.  Worse, it was undeserved.  Nothing had really changed except for the perception of Joseph's descendents and, with that changed perception, trust was eroded.

Sometimes we think we're going to change the world, or at least our portion of it, but the world and its institutions have a way of resisting, of humbling our efforts.  In fact, our efforts may be resented.

So we should just give up, be fatalists, and accept our lot?

The conclusion to my father's advice was "Make it a great year for your classmates and don't get sidetracked trying to change the entire institution."

So here are FOUR principles for finding one's place within the life of an organization:

1. We should remember that the organization outlives the individuals who make it up and serve its purposes.
2. We should attempt to effect change that makes a difference in our lives and the lives of those around us, without fooling ourselves into believing that we are creating a new permanence impervious to future change.
3. We should be realistic in our attempts to influence the organization and, through it, the world around us.  If you are CEO of a company or President of the United States, use your leadership to produce positive change for those you serve rather than trying to change the entirety - all that has gone before and all that is to follow.
4. Keep the trajectory of the organization moving in a positive direction and release the need to arrive, to finish, to complete its work.  Because one day there will be a new Pharaoh with new ideas and your work going forward may be undone, but the impact you've already produced will never be lost.

At Julian Consulting we work with you to produce positive outcomes that bless you, those with whom you work, and those you work to serve.  Call us TODAY for assistance in achieving those objectives.