Protecting power in a time of change requires adaptation
One reason for a delay in adapting to new information is that new information often leads to a change in power structures. People who are ensconced in the current power paradigm will do everything they can to remain there without actually adapting to the coming change. It is intuitive to hold onto what one has; however, it is often this urge to keep things from changing that dooms companies, people and political parties to the obscurity that they wish to avoid.
The Walt Disney Company went through something like this after Walt Disney died. Rather than adapt to the current circumstances and accept Walt’s death, the leadership insisted on second guessing every decision and asking what Walt would do in every situation. Walt was not around, and the company had to adapt or die. In the 1980s, there was a critical threat to the Walt Disney Company from corporate raiders. Some savvy financial moves and a white knight saved the company from being sold off for profit, and the Disney Company made a comeback from its 1980s' creative malaise.
The Republican Party is also faced with this type of change. As its leaders continue to deny the existence of global warming and the scientific consensus of 98% of the scientific community, the GOP continues to set itself up as the out-of-touch party appealing to those who are not interested in science or change. Younger Republicans are attempting to change this, but the older generation and the reactionary, boisterous Tea Party members are keeping the party from making the changes that it needs to make to continue to be relevant.
Change is the only constant. Those who want to remain in power need to learn to read and adapt to changes. Scrabbling to keep power by limiting change only ensures that the person, company or political party will be on the wrong side of history and without the power that once was held with such impunity. In the case of today’s rapidly advancing economic and ecological disasters, it may also ensure the destruction of mankind.
The Walt Disney Company went through something like this after Walt Disney died. Rather than adapt to the current circumstances and accept Walt’s death, the leadership insisted on second guessing every decision and asking what Walt would do in every situation. Walt was not around, and the company had to adapt or die. In the 1980s, there was a critical threat to the Walt Disney Company from corporate raiders. Some savvy financial moves and a white knight saved the company from being sold off for profit, and the Disney Company made a comeback from its 1980s' creative malaise.
The Republican Party is also faced with this type of change. As its leaders continue to deny the existence of global warming and the scientific consensus of 98% of the scientific community, the GOP continues to set itself up as the out-of-touch party appealing to those who are not interested in science or change. Younger Republicans are attempting to change this, but the older generation and the reactionary, boisterous Tea Party members are keeping the party from making the changes that it needs to make to continue to be relevant.
Change is the only constant. Those who want to remain in power need to learn to read and adapt to changes. Scrabbling to keep power by limiting change only ensures that the person, company or political party will be on the wrong side of history and without the power that once was held with such impunity. In the case of today’s rapidly advancing economic and ecological disasters, it may also ensure the destruction of mankind.