Michelangelo's David
"Organisational change is a journey. Change leadership requires patience, continuous improvement, commitment to incremental progress, but above all, it is about aiming for excellence"
👏 Happy Friday!
On this day, September 8, 1504, Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David, was unveiled in the magnificent Piazza della Signoria in the heart of Florence. Even after 500 years, the statue’s form and symbolism continue to inspire viewers worldwide, solidifying its place among the most revered timeless masterpieces and replicated artworks. The immaculate creation, a five-metre and seventeen-cm marble sculpture, transcends mere stone and chisel; it embodies the essence of human potential, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. David’s intricate details, from the rippling muscles to the intense gaze, capture the essence of human anatomy. Michelangelo’s unmatched skill and mastery of his craft are showcased through the sculpture’s impeccable proportions, harmonious balance, and meticulous craftsmanship. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, and poet, and he was only 26 when he began this work. Michelangelo’s David remains an enduring testament to the artist’s genius and his ability to breathe life into stone. Its impact can be felt not only in the world of art but also in the hearts and minds of those who encounter it.
✅ Michelangelo told us, “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” To Michelangelo, the pursuit of excellence was not a trivial matter, and the creation of David holds a deeper meaning. Just as Michelangelo transformed a raw block of marble into a masterpiece, we can also harness our inner potential to sculpt masterpieces in our lives and organisations in the face of change. Change leaders can either aim to implement successful, sustainable organisational change or fall short and play out the change management charade. Leaders Should Pursue Change Excellence.
“Organisational change is a journey. Change leadership requires patience, continuous improvement, commitment to incremental progress, but above all, it is about aiming for excellence”
👉 Organisational change leadership is about effectively and proactively articulating the vision, modelling the new way, and intervening to ensure sustainable change. It means not being involved in the change management charade, an absurd pretence intended to create a pleasant or respectable appearance of change. Leaders cannot continue to focus on normal day-to-day operations devoid of executing their change leadership responsibilities. It is not a one-time event but rather a process that requires time, effort, and adaptability. Change leadership requires patience, continuous improvement, commitment to incremental progress, but above all, it is about aiming for excellence.
Have a fantastic weekend with the ones you love and care for, enjoy some fresh air, exercise, eat, drink and be happy.
Further Reading: Change Management Leadership - Leadership of Change Volume 4
Peter consults, speaks, and writes on the Leadership of Change®.
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Peter F Gallagher is a Change Management Global Thought Leader, Guru, Expert, International Speaker, Author and Leadership Alignment Coach.
Listed #1 by leadersHum Top 40 Change Management Gurus You Should Follow in 2022 (Mar 2022).
Ranked #1 Change Management Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Change Management (2023-2022-2021-2020) by Thinkers360.
Ranked #1 Business Strategy Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Business Strategy (2022) by Thinkers360.
Ranked #2 Leadership Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Leadership (Aug 2020) by Thinkers360.
Business Book Ranking
Change Management Behaviour - Leadership of Change® Volume 6, listed among the 50 Books from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders to read in 2022.
Change Management Adoption - Leadership of Change® Volume 5, listed among year-to-date’s (Jul 2021) most popular books on business and technology from Thinkers360 member thought leaders.
Change Management Handbook - Leadership of Change® Volume 3, listed among the 50 Business and Technology Books from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders to read in 2021.
Change Management Pocket Guide - Leadership of Change® Volume 2, ranked within the top 50 Business and Technology Books (Jan 2020) from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders.
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