The myth of quick results

There are no miracles-even if they are ,they are ?rare and unpredictable.

Deep within each of us is the yearning for the miracle pill, the unpredictable surprise, the organizational re-do that will fix everything.

Sometimes, it even happens. Sometimes, once in a very rare while, there actually is a stone in our shoe, easy to remove. And this rare occurrence serves to encourage our dreams that all of our problems have such a simple diagnosis and an even simpler remedy.

Alas, mostly it’s not true.

Culture takes years to create and years to change.

Illnesses rarely respond in days to a treatment.

Organizations that are drowning need to learn how ?to swim.

Habits take a long time to change.

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But the lessons learnt drive us to specific conclusion:

Avoid the crash diet.

Fear the stock that’s a sure thing to double overnight.

Be sceptical of a new technology that’s surely revolutionary.

Walk away from a consultant who can transform your organization in one fell swoop.

Your project (and your health) is too valuable to depend on lottery tickets.

There are innovations and moments that lead to change. But that change happens over time, with new rules causing new outputs that compound. The instant win is largely a myth. There is a hidden story behind every win. A world class athlete has practiced for years before he can stand on a winning podium in Olympics for that elusive 15 second fame.

The essential elements of a miracle are that it is rare and unpredictable. Not quite the reliable path you were seeking.