I am not a particular fan of poetry, but I have known a few, few poems by heart since my school days. 'Stufen' by Hermann Hesse is one of them. I think it's great in every way: its somewhat complicated rhyme scheme at first, the figurative, wonderful language, and of course the content: a call to change. Change is a natural part of life and we are supposed to drive it in order to reach ever higher levels of life.
Transformation in many companies often look more like this: First, the 'Sense of Urgency' is established by describing a threat: changing market conditions, digitalization or some disruption threatens the business and 'forces us to change.' Subsequently, a big program is then set up that change managers have to enforce against cultural resistance. This makes you wish for Hermann Hesse's lightness when he writes: „Wir sollen heiter Raum um Raum durchschreiten“. ('We shall cheerfully pass through room after room.')
In recent months, I have been thinking a lot about his lines. After several professional stations, I had found a setup that was very good for me: a job that was fun, a young team, a great culture and then also a profitable company in a growing industry. What more could you want? Why change anything?
In 'Stufen' it is said:
„Kaum sind wir heimisch einem Lebenskreise
Und traulich eingewohnt, so droht Erschlaffen;
Nur wer bereit zu Aufbruch ist und Reise,
Mag lähmender Gewöhnung sich entraffen.“
('No sooner are we at home in a circle of life
And settled in comfortably, slackness threatens;
Only those who are ready for departure and journey,
May escape paralyzing habituation.')
So I'm going to get back on the road and, after some time off, start my own little business. Then I hope that what Hesse writes is true:
„… jedem Anfang wohnt ein Zauber inne,
Der uns beschützt und der uns hilft, zu leben.“
('Every beginning holds its own magic,
That protects us and helps us to live.')
