Rugged Flexibility

Rugged Flexibility

In Spencer Johnson's best-selling book - Who Moved My Cheese there is a statement that states, "If you don't change, you could become extinct."

Recent history proves this statement true with businesses that have become extinct like Kodak, Blockbuster, and Rite Aid to only name a few.

Change can be hard for a business, but becoming extinct can be harder.

In Brad Stulberg's acclaimed book - Master of Change he introduces the idea of "Rugged Flexibility."

Stulberg explains that every company has certain central features that make them what they are, and he does not recommend changing those central features but adapting them during the change process.

Like an electrical wire, there are features to that wire that do not change, however, it is flexible and adapts when the need arrives.

So when contemplating change, identify your central features and consider the adaption of those features without totally losing them.

This will become your 'Rugged Flexibility.'


Find out more about our Change Like a Champion keynotes and workshops at: Transforming Change with Champion Insights


Brad Stulberg

Author, Professor, and Co-Founder at The Growth Equation: where the world's best go for ideas and practices on sustainable excellence and success.

7 个月

Thanks for writing this up, Kurt! Glad you found Master of Change resonant!

Doug Smith

NHL - 1st Round Pick - Los Angeles Kings, Award-Winning Author, Broadcast Show Host. Thank-you to the Kings, Sabres Oilers, Canucks and Penguins

7 个月

Thanks, Kurt. Awesome. Spencer has another great book called YES or NO, The Guide to Making Better Decisions. Phenomenal as well.

Josef Bastian

Crafter of Stories, Consultant to Humans, Agent of Change

7 个月

Great article Kurt A. David. Every organization is somewhere in along the Cycle of Change Continuum. I have always appreciated the tech industry approach, where they design in their own obsolescence, knowing full well every few years they will have new products and processes.

Leland K. Bassett

Strategic Communication Management, Motivation, Consulting, Branding, Digital Marketing, Crisis Management, Change Management; Executive Coaching; Inclusive Pluralism; Generational Responsibility, “Theatre Rat”

7 个月

Excellent explanation Kurt A. David I once had an early mentor tell me: “You can’t score today’s ball games on yesterday‘s home runs.” The wire analogy is perfect to identify core values and continuously adjusting to constantly changing context and environment. ????????

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