You have probably seen people arrange all kinds of domino chains with tens of thousands of domino pieces falling in sequence which attract much fascination. The force of the first falling onto the second causes it to fall, knocking it down onto the third, etc. This continues until all the dominos have been knocked over with a chain reaction. Most domino exhibitions feature planks that are all of the same size.

In a slightly different variation, J. M. J. van Leeuwen, a physicist at Leiden University in The Netherlands, using a mathematical model, predicted that the maximum incremental size of falling dominos was about 2 in a perfect world. The linked YouTube video is an illustration of the effect with 13 planks with each one about one and half time larger than the previous one. The smallest plank of 5 mm tall eventually led to the downfall of 1m tall plank. I did not check the math, but according to the video, the final plank would have grown to the size of the Empire State Building if he had placed 29 planks.

As individual, we often feel like the most insignificant thread in the tapestry of life. A false sense of humility can prevent us from seeing that everyone on this planet has been equipped with the potential for making a meaningful difference, either in an organization or society. 

It certainly takes effort for things to happen, especially in a large organization. However, with the right idea, thoughtful planning, and the right organizational support, a small ripple can gain momentum, create a cascade of changes, and eventually lead to an unstoppable wave for transformation.

Mahatma Gandhi said it well: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”

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Change isn’t change without change (4/1/2019)

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