PATTERNS FOR SUCCESS
The Art of Change: Strength
Sections 33–40: Retreating, Strength, Progress, Darkness, Teamwork, Opposition, Difficulty, Removal
How do you handle change? The Art of Change provides timeless answers to this eternal question. It is a modern reading of The Book of Changes/I Ching—a guide for sustainable success in turbulent times. Discover solutions for your current situation by exploring the relevant sections and considering how you can apply the change patterns in your context. All parts. Other reading formats.
33. RETREATING
Conditions crumble
nurture capabilities
for future success
When conditions crumble, how might we retreat …
… early?
As soon as you see the challenges ahead and lack the capabilities to cope, withdraw from involvement. Avoid last-minute retreats.
… with purpose?
While strategically retreating, persevere in your purpose.
… with grace?
Take a step back and relax to preserve your energy. While doing so, nurture your relationships with your stakeholders.
… with confidence?
Balance your emotions and avoid being influenced by others.
… in time?
Find a suitable time for retreat after proper preparations.
… from a favourable position?
Retreating from a favourable position sometimes brings more advantages than staying the course.
34. STRENGTH
Use strength properly:
avoid pressure and control
and follow purpose
When strong, how might we …
… wait for suitable conditions?
Avoid being over-confident in your strength and making rash moves before all necessary preparations are completed.
… keep our integrity?
Stay humble and avoid being overly enthusiastic or having too much self-confidence.
… think twice before showing it?
Nurture your inner strength before using it. Real strength comes from avoiding using formal power. By openly displaying your strength, you attract hostility.
… use it?
Use inner strength when moving forward, just like a strong axle of a carriage. Proceed patiently, one step at a time.
… stay humble?
Avoid being too stubborn and avoid using pressure and control.
… handle deadlock?
When reaching a stalemate, avoid using strength; instead, seek a different approach with your stakeholders.
35. PROGRESS
Clarity in speech
brings harmony and progress
just like the sunlight
How might we progress …
… by trusting?
Build trust gradually by growing and showing your capabilities.
… by asking for advice?
If you meet challenges, get help and support from experienced people.
… by collaborating?
A coherent purpose and clear communication promote collaboration which can help overcome challenges.
… through integrity?
Wealth and power gained by immoral means are as sturdy as clouds.
… through curiosity and diversity?
Curiously seek complementary perspectives and capabilities, e.g. match the organisation’s needs with people’s capabilities, seek different views when preparing and seek success with your stakeholders rather than gains for yourself.
… by keeping calm?
Progress with brute force will attract brute force in return. Restrain your impulses to take decisive action.
36. DARKNESS
In times of darkness
use purpose, integrity
with perseverance
When severely challenged, how might we …
… leave swiftly if needed?
Leave a corrupt and rotten organisation; it is unlikely to change. Avoid dishonest or deceptive activities.
… find protection?
Seek allies and collaborators that can protect you if you cannot leave the organisation.
… adjust slowly?
Take gradual steps when trying to improve, as hasty actions can result in chaos due to resistance to change.
… show integrity?
Dare to propose improvements with perseverance and, if not possible, consider leaving.
… conceal our feelings?
To avoid danger, hide your feelings, be careful and persistent. Avoid deceitful people and wait for the corrupt to depart or be removed.
… follow the light and be the light?
Follow leaders with integrity and wisdom and act with integrity and wisdom.
37. TEAMWORK
Teamwork follows from
purpose and integrity
and creates swift change
When collaborating, how might we …
… agree on how to collaborate?
Agree on how to work together and behave to prevent misunderstandings or frustration.
… match capabilities with needs?
When fulfilling the needs of the organisation, consider the needs and capabilities of people in the specific context.
… offer and accept feedback?
Provide frequent, accurate, specific and timely feedback — showing that you believe in people’s ability to grow. When giving feedback, ask for permission, share observations, state consequences as you perceive them (positive or negative) and ask for a response. Celebrate positive consequences in public and share negative consequences in private. When receiving feedback, see it as a gift to learn more about yourself and the person giving the feedback.
… offer and accept help?
Be ready to offer and accept help, support and advice.
… lead by example?
Set a positive example and demonstrate the desired behaviours through actions, not just words. Be the change you want to see.
… show integrity?
Integrity inspires trust and respect.
38. OPPOSITION
Find your true purpose
using diverse perspectives
and low-hanging fruits
In opposition, how might we …
… find allies?
Let situations resolve themselves instead of making premature responses and creating enemies. At the same time, resolve challenges before they escalate.
… unite people?
Unite people through friendly conversations that recognise their unique perspectives and address their needs.
… seek help?
In opposition, seek help from skilled people with integrity that you trust.
… form fellowships?
Avoid isolation by finding allies to build a fellowship sharing a coherent purpose.
… find complementary capabilities?
Opposing forces can bring new perspectives and strengths to the table. By joining forces, success can be achieved more efficiently and effectively.
… stay calm and curious?
Avoid acting impulsively and mistrusting others to keep harmony in situations of extreme opposition.
39. DIFFICULTY
In difficulties
know context and direction
seek advice, persist
In difficulties, how might we …
… find a suitable time to proceed?
Carefully consider when to move forward and when to hold back.
… work for the greater good?
When everyone works for the greater good, any obstacle can be overcome.
… retreat?
When the risk is too high, return to a more safe position and preserve your strength for the future.
… form alliances?
To enhance your strength, team up with people whose skills and abilities that complement your own.
… show integrity?
Showing integrity will bring assistance and support.
… seek help?
Seek help from capable people to move forward.
40. REMOVAL
Use purpose to move
in harmony, go with flow
when blocked, act quickly
When removing obstacles, how might we …
… resolve challenges as early as possible?
Address challenges as soon as they arise to prevent them from becoming bigger issues later.
… stay positive?
Avoid negative thoughts by keeping your balance.
… know our limits?
Avoid doing what is beyond your capabilities.
… seek positive relationships?
Avoid negative people to devote time and space for positive relationships with capable people.
… lead by example?
When you act with integrity, your colleagues are likelier to follow your lead and display similar behaviours.
… remove people?
In dangerous situations, be ready to remove people from roles where they are likely to fail.
The Art of Change: All Parts
Pick section(s), ponder patterns, change, learn, repeat!
Contents: A summary of all parts
Introduction: Patterns for Success
- Sections 1–8: Turbulence, Flow, Growth, Learning, Waiting, Conflict, Competition, Collaboration
- Sections 9–16: Nurturing, Mistakes, Balance, Obstruction, Fellowship, Power, Modesty, Excess
- Sections 17–24: Following, Renewal, Attitude, Observing, Resistance, Image, Division, Cycles
- Sections 25–32: Flowing, Capabilities, Nourishing, Overload, Danger, Knowlege, Resonance, Perseverance
- Sections 33–40: Retreating, Strength, Progress, Darkness, Teamwork, Opposition, Difficulty, Removal
- Sections 41–48: Decline, Surge, Determination, Alliances, Teaming, Rising, Adversity, Energising
- Sections 49–56: Change, Renewing, Shock, Stillness, Development, Underdog, Success, Unknown
- Sections 57–64: Influencing, Joy, Dispersal, Restraining, Integrity, Exceeding, Completion, Incomplete
Glossary: Explanation of key terms
Acknowledgements: Standing on the shoulders of giants
Sources: Where to learn more
Other reading formats: Hardcover, paperback and PDF
This text is provided as Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International by the author, Erik Schön.
