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Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Origin and Context:
Max DePree (1924–2017) was an American businessman and longtime CEO of Herman Miller, the iconic furniture company known for its forward-thinking design and people-centered corporate culture. DePree is best known not just for his leadership, but for his influential writings on servant leadership — most notably in his book Leadership Is an Art (1989). The quote reflects his philosophy that growth, whether in leadership or life, is inseparable from change. His work emphasized that organizations and individuals flourish when they are willing to evolve — both in mindset and practice — to meet new visions.

Expanded Meaning:
At its core, this quote is a reminder that meaningful progress requires transformation. The "what we want" — whether it's a personal goal, a new identity, or a greater contribution to the world — exists beyond the current boundaries of who we are and how we operate today. Simply put, if our habits, attitudes, and behaviors remain static, our lives will, too.

To reach for a new outcome, we must shed outdated beliefs, habits, or ways of thinking that no longer serve us. This can be uncomfortable because it often demands stepping into uncertainty. We have to challenge our comfort zones, abandon familiar routines, and adopt new skills or perspectives that align with where we want to go — not where we’ve been.

Think of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. The butterfly's wings are not simply additions to the caterpillar’s old form; the creature undergoes a profound metamorphosis, dissolving much of its former self to become something entirely new. Similarly, personal or professional growth requires releasing parts of our old selves to make space for something greater.

Added Value — Key Takeaways for Readers:

• Growth means discomfort: If you’re too comfortable, you’re likely not growing. Embrace discomfort as a sign you’re moving in the right direction.
  

• Old tools won’t build new dreams: Skills, mindsets, and habits that got you where you are may not be enough to get you where you want to go. Stay open to continuous learning.
  

• Identity is fluid, not fixed: You are not bound by who you were yesterday. Give yourself permission to evolve.
  

• Letting go is a skill: Release old fears, self-doubts, or assumptions that keep you tethered to your current state. Clinging to outdated versions of yourself only delays progress.
  

In short, Max DePree’s message is timeless: Transformation is the bridge between where we are and where we want to be — and crossing it demands we evolve.

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Further Reading & Resources

• Leadership Is an Art by Max DePree — A classic exploration of servant leadership and personal growth in business and life.
  

• Atomic Habits by James Clear — Practical strategies for building new habits and breaking old patterns to support transformation.
  

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck — Insights on adopting a growth mindset to unlock personal and professional potential.
  

• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle — A guide to releasing attachment to old identities and living fully in the present moment.
  

• TED Talk: The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown — A compelling talk on embracing discomfort and uncertainty as pathways to growth.