“The greatest enemy of progress is not stagnation, but the illusion of progress.” – Daniel J. Boorstin

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – Alan Watts

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” – George Bernard Shaw

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” – Albert Einstein

“The comfort zone is a psychological state in which one feels familiar, safe, at ease, and secure. You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Roy T. Bennett

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Status quo is Latin for “the mess we’re in.” Leaders see what is, but they also have a vision for what could be. They are never content with things as they are. To be leading, by definition, is to be in front, breaking new ground, conquering new worlds, moving away from the status quo.

Dissatisfaction with the status quo does not mean having a negative attitude or grumbling. It has to do with a willingness to be different and to take risks. A person who refuses to risk change fails to grow. A leader who loves the status quo soon becomes a follower. Raymond Smith of the Bell Atlantic Corporation once remarked, “Taking the safe road, doing your job, and not making any waves may not get you fired (right away, at least), but it sure won’t do much for your career or your company over the long haul. We’re not dumb. We know that administrators are easy to find and cheap to keep. Leaders – risk takers – are in very short supply. And ones with vision are pure gold.”

Risk seems dangerous to many people because they are more comfortable with the old problems versus what it takes to come up with new solutions. The difference is attitude. When you seek out potential leaders, seek people who seek solutions.

 

I say no to the status quo | Lindsy Szilvasi | TEDxBUas

Here are five quotes that inspire change and progress by challenging the status quo:

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” – John D. Rockefeller

“The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs

“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.” – Peter F. Drucker

“The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that is changing quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” – Mark Zuckerberg