Leading Change, With a New Preface by the Author

9 Consolidating Gains and Producing More Change

When people registered for the annual management meeting, they were given a packet of materials that included a compilation of favorable press clippings from the prior twelve months. At the opening banquet, the CEO praised the 110 executives for all they had accomplished and ended the night with four toasts. During the first full day of the meeting, no fewer than six speakers identified recent achievements and saluted the audience. That night, an awards banquet gave plaques to fifteen people. The next morning, presentations on “best practices” dissolved into more back patting. In the evening, a famous singer entertained the group. If all that didn’t send egos into deep space, the final congratulatory ...