Why Saint Nicholas hats can make such a difference in organisational change

Why Saint Nicholas hats can make such a difference in organisational change

Something strange happened last night: my children voluntarily cleaned their boots. Nobody had told them to. Neither my wife nor I had asked them to finally clean their shoes. Yet an incredible motivation, an almost ghostly force, came over them and moved them to do something we otherwise talk ourselves hoarse about.

Rituals virtually pass themselves down through generations. They become legends and myths whose origins are soon forgotten. Who knows, for example, that Saint Nicholas was born around AD 280 in Patara, in what is now Turkey, and according to legend saved three poor young women from a life on the streets by giving them generous gifts? He died as the holy Bishop of Myra on 6 December AD 343.

Rituals have incredible power, not just at Christmas and not just for children. In organisational change, it is worth becoming aware of your own organisation’s rituals. It is never too late to create new ones. Rituals provide structure and a sense of security, which are particularly needed in times of change.

Just put on a Saint Nicholas hat at your next workshop, and you will no longer have to talk yourselves hoarse about the need for change. 😂

Wishing you all a wonderful Saint Nicholas Day!