The Importance of the speed of change

There's a tale that underscores the importance of speed in bringing about change within a community.

 

In a church in the United States, a new pastor took office. During worship, it was noticed that the choir sang from the left side of the sanctuary, while the piano was situated on the right. This seemed to cause discomfort between the conductor and the accompanist. So, one Saturday afternoon, the pastor called upon the church youth and had the piano moved to the side where the choir was positioned.

 

However, after the Sunday service, an elderly woman approached the pastor and expressed her discontent, saying, "The person who donated this piano to the church is my late husband, who is now in heaven. I'm upset that you moved the piano to the other side without consulting me." In response, the newly appointed pastor apologized sincerely to her and instructed the youth to move the piano back to its original position.

 

From the following week onwards, the new pastor gradually shifted the piano a few centimeters each Saturday. After a year had passed, the piano had relocated next to the choir. Surprisingly, neither the woman nor any other member of the congregation noticed this gradual change.

 

While the direction of change within a community is important, so is the speed at which it occurs.