How Herbert Changed the Game!

Have you heard of Lawrence Herbert? Probably not, yet his story is a gem in the world of disruptive change. He wasn’t a tech billionaire or a famous inventor, but he did something remarkable: he changed the way we see colour.

Herbert started as a part-time technician at the company now known as Pantone, “The universal language of colour”, at a time when printing colours was a messy and time-consuming nightmare. Imagine trying to match shades without any standard system – it was enough to give any designer a headache!

But Herbert, a true change leader, wasn’t content with the status quo. He used his chemistry background to create something ingenious: a simplified system of 12 colours, the foundation of the Pantone Matching System, which could mix to create any shade. Talk about a game-changer!

However, the real challenge was convincing an entire company to ditch their old ways and embrace his system. When he started, he wasn’t the CEO or even a manager, just a passionate guy with a better idea. As a change leader yourself, you can likely relate to Herbert‘s challenge – the familiar task of leading your team and stakeholders through the adoption of change.

So how did Herbert successfully lead this change to disrupt the status quo?

1. Visionary Thinking: Herbert had a clear and innovative vision to standardize colour communication. His foresight in recognizing the need for a universal colour language across various industries exemplified his visionary leadership.
2. Communication and Persuasion: Without holding a position of authority, Herbert effectively communicated the value and benefits of his system, persuading others to adopt his innovation.
3. Persistence and Adaptability: Faced with skepticism, Herbert showed resilience and adaptability, continually refining his approach to overcome resistance and gain buy-in.
4. Building Relationships and Networking: Herbert‘s ability to build and maintain relationships was crucial. He understood the importance of networking and collaboration for the widespread acceptance of the Pantone system.

Leading change successfully is often less about the models and methodologies. Herbert‘s story is a shining example of how anyone, regardless of their title or position, can lead disruptive change.

Yvonne. This is precisely the kind of theme we will be exploring at this year’s Change Leadership Conference 2024. Disrupting Status Quo

Our focus is on how change leaders like you and I can effectively lead change by challenging long-standing norms and practices. In a world where disruptive forces are reshaping our environment at lightning speed; the methods and approaches of leading change need to evolve just as rapidly.

Are you part of our free online change leadership community? Click HERE to join in for free! If you would like to receive updates for our ‘One Minute Insight on What’s Changing, and What’s New’ directly to your inbox, be sure to join our mailing list. http://bit.ly/JoinTCList