How did this guy from the early 18th Century influence the solution to business vision today?

If you recognise this guy I am impressed and award yourself 2000 points. William Hogarth was an 18th-century English painter and printmaker known for his vivid storytelling and satirical edge. Through series like The Progress of a Harlot, he depicted moral and social issues of his time, often with biting humour and sharp criticism. His works unfold like scenes in a play, capturing pivotal moments in his characters’ lives—usually highlighting the consequences of their choices.

The set of pictures I first came across was the sequel to a Harlot's progress:- A Rake’s Progress tells the story of one John Rakewell—a young man who starts with wealth and potential and squanders it all in a slow-motion car crash of indulgence and moral decay. Hogarth captured this decline across a series of snapshots, each one a glimpse into pivotal moments of Rakewell’s life. It’s more than just art on a wall; it’s a cautionary tale for anyone reckless enough to let short-term desires dictate their path.

Each scene is like a freeze-frame from a film, and although we only get fragments of the story, it’s more than enough to connect the dots. We can see the exact moment he goes from promising to reckless, from in control to out of options. But instead of letting Rakewell’s downfall be the last word, I thought—what if we could flip this? What if, instead of cautionary snapshots, we could show leaders a sequence of what positive progress could look like and actively build toward that vision?

That’s what Snapshot is all about. By creating glimpses of what’s possible, Snapshot gives leaders a chance to see where they’re headed and to choose a path that builds a healthy, engaged company culture. It’s the difference between drifting into decline and actively shaping a future with purpose.

Two Scenes That Shape the Path

Let’s zoom in on two consecutive scenes from Hogarth’s series that really capture the tipping point in Rakewell’s life. They represent two crucial choices, each one pushing him further down the path of destruction. With Snapshot, we’re essentially reversing these steps, showing leaders the way to build something better rather than slip into decline.

Scene 3: The Party (Or How to Waste Potential in Style)

In the party scene of A Rake’s Progress, we see John Rakewell hosting an extravagant bash in his London home. The room is alive with excess—drinking, music, and laughter. Rakewell, dressed in opulent clothing, is at the center of it all, basking in the attention. He’s surrounded by guests who reflect the same decadence—musicians, flirtatious women, and characters who seem more interested in his wealth than in him as a person.

The scene is chaotic, with drunken revelers slumping over tables, scattered playing cards, and tipped wine glasses. Hogarth captures the sense that the partygoers are there to indulge, not to connect meaningfully. The atmosphere of unbridled pleasure hints at something hollow beneath the surface, suggesting Rakewell’s wealth is being frittered away in moments of shallow enjoyment. It’s a turning point that sets him further along his path of self-destruction, surrounded by people who will likely abandon him once his fortune fades.

For me, this image gets at a universal truth: the company you keep defines where you end up. In Snapshot, this moment is transformed from a tale of indulgence to one of intentionality. We ask leaders to consider who they surround themselves with and whether those relationships support their vision or simply drain it.

In Snapshot’s version, this would be the scene where leaders see the benefits of fostering an environment where everyone’s pulling in the same direction. Picture a gathering of engaged employees, each one clear on the vision and empowered to contribute. This is about building a culture where people are valued for what they bring to the table, not just for being ‘yes men’ or temporary fixes. It’s a shift from reckless spending to intentional investment.

Scene 4: The Arrest (Where Accountability Comes Too Late)

In the fourth scene of A Rake’s Progress, the stark reality of John Rakewell’s choices comes crashing down as he is arrested for debt. This moment is captured on a busy London street, where the flamboyant young man, once surrounded by sycophants and admirers, now stands alone in his downfall. Gone are the smiling, indulgent faces from the lavish party—those so-called “friends” have vanished, leaving him to face the consequences alone. Well, except Sarah who is constantly reaching out to John but is always forsaken.

Rakewell’s attire is as rumpled as his spirit; he’s visibly desperate, pleading with the officers who hold him firmly by each arm. In the background, we glimpse a figure from his past—a former lover clutching their child—underscoring the connections he discarded along the way. The crowd around him is a mix of curious onlookers and those who seem almost to revel in his disgrace. There’s a sense of cold detachment in their faces, a stark contrast to the attention he once basked in.

This arrest is a moment of total exposure for Rakewell, as his facade of wealth and importance crumbles. It’s a brutal reminder of how quickly the company he kept has abandoned him, leaving him not just financially ruined, but utterly isolated. This is the point of no return, where the path he’s taken becomes painfully irreversible.

Snapshot flips this around by turning accountability into something proactive, not reactive. Instead of ending up in a mess that needs cleaning up, accountability in Snapshot is about taking stock along the way, so course corrections can be made before things spiral out. Imagine a moment of reflection, where leaders are encouraged to take a long, honest look at the choices they’re making and how these align with the company’s values. It is why Snapshot is not a business plan that sits in a draw but something enjoyable to be read regularly to ensure you stay on the right path.

In Snapshot’s version, this “arrest” scene doesn’t happen. Leaders are already creating a culture where transparency and alignment prevent things from getting to a breaking point. Accountability is reframed as empowerment, allowing leaders and teams to build on their wins rather than scramble to cover their mistakes.

Reversing the Path: Constructive Progress Over Pitfalls

These two scenes, taken back-to-back, are the very definition of things escalating from bad to worse. But by reversing this path, Snapshot becomes a tool to help leaders create constructive momentum. Instead of one poor choice compounding on another, Snapshot shows what happens when each good decision reinforces the next.

This isn’t just an idealized image of success; it’s a practical guide that leaders can use to build a sustainable, people-first culture. By visualizing the positive impact of intentional decisions, Snapshot helps leaders actively steer away from Rakewell’s decline and toward progress with purpose.

The Takeaway: From Warning to Action

The Rake’s Progress has stuck around for a reason: it speaks to that part of us that knows how easy it is to slide down the wrong path. Snapshot flips that story on its head, offering a vision of what happens when we choose to build something better. By turning cautionary tales into constructive journeys, Snapshot shows that real success isn’t about avoiding pitfalls but about creating a legacy built on values and intention.

In reversing Hogarth’s story, we don’t just learn what not to do; we get to see what we can do when we choose to make every step one of progress, and surround ourselves with the right people to move forward together.

#LeadershipLessons #PositiveProgress #IntentionalGrowth #BuildingCulture #LearnFromHistory