Article Title: Heraclitus, Change Management, and Innovation
Author Byline: Philip Aust
Author Website:

If you are up on your Greek history, you know who Heraclitus is. If not, here is the Cliffs Notes version. Heraclitus was a Pre-Socratic philosopher who lived circa 530 to 480 B.C. Whereas history credits him with penning over 100 proverbs, he is best known for one basic idea: Heraclitus believed the universe is in a perpetual state of change.

Whenever Heraclitus chose to elaborate on his unique philosophy, large crowds gathered. On one occasion, Heraclitus illustrated his belief by going to a stream’s edge and stepping into and then back out of the water. He asserted that if he stepped back into the stream, it was not the same stream, because of the change brought about by his initial step. Although it is unclear to what extent his audience was convinced of his belief, his insight has stood the test of time. In fact, if alive today, Heraclitus would be the poster boy for modern business. As Fishman (1997) notes, “It’s not that the business environment is changing. Change is the business environment. And it’s not that every company is undergoing change. Change has overtaken every company” (p. 64).

Given this fact, business leaders have two options: react to change or initiate it. Let’s consider both alternatives. First, adept managers acknowledge that change is a fact of life. As a result, they routinely identify which changes have the greatest impact on worker productivity and satisfaction, and ultimately profits. They then develop plans to manage change as it occurs. Second, adept managers initiate change by recognizing the role of innovation to business success. Innovation involves improving a product, process, or service (Robbins, 2003). Innovations can impact internal (e.g., improving the assembly of a product) or external (e.g., serving customers more efficiently) aspects of a business. In both options (i.e., react to change or initiate it), outstanding companies are characterized by managers who seek out (e.g., in meetings), value, and reward employee input to manage change. Does your company do this? If not, change is in order.

Given the perpetually shifting global marketplace, Heraclitus was right: the universe is in a perpetual state of change. According to Fishman (1997), creating, managing, and surviving change is the agenda for anyone or any company that aims to make a difference. Master change, and you will stand out from the crowd.


About the Author:

Dr. Philip Aust is a professor at Kennesaw State University (KSU). He teaches Organizational Communication Audits, Leadership, Training and Development, and Research Methods in the Department of Communication at KSU.

Dr. Aust’s research focuses on leadership in organizational, group, and interpersonal contexts. He examines emerging leadership perspectives, messages associated with productivity and task quality, and leader performance. He has authored and co-authored book chapters and articles published in such journals as Communication Studies, Basic Communication Course Annual, and Communication Teacher.

Dr. Aust regularly conducts communication consultations for profit and non-profit Atlanta-based companies. He has worked with over 25 companies in the last three years.

Email Philip: philipaustpr@searchlogixgroup.com

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