KNOW WHEN TO BRACE, WHEN TO BEND

"Rigid, the skeleton of habit alone upholds the human frame."

Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) British novelist/essayist

We do need rigidity, however complete inflexibility leaves no room for growth.

Flexible and rigid.

Simultaneously ready to be the other while being the one.

ANY COLOR AS LONG AS IT'S BLACK

"Hell, there are no rules here, we are trying to accomplish something."

Thomas Alva Edison

Late 19th/early 20th century American inventor

We often exempt ourselves from rules we make for others (just ask my boys).

I wonder if Mr. Edison saw the irony in his statement?

Management Flexibility: How Much?

"The one who adopts his policy to the time, prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the time does not."

Niccolo Machiavelli
16th century Italian Philosopher

There are many variations of this theme; things like the tree that bends, survives, whereas the one that will not, does not.

But how do you know when to "adopt your policy" versus "stand your ground"? It doesn't look like Steve Jobs has done much "bending" recently and he appears to be doing OK.

And likewise there is a long list of managers in every industry you can think of, who, if they are still "standing their ground", are doing so outside of the company for which they used to work.