Mention ‘change’ or ‘change management’ and most people’s eyes glaze over. Yet the ability to embrace change is crucial for survival and growth – whether we are talking about individuals, companies or societies. Remember Kodak, Blackberry and Blockbuster? These once-great businesses failed because their success made them risk-averse and complacent.

In stark contrast stands Nvidia, a company with a remarkable success story. In the mid-’90s, Nvidia’s founders faced a critical juncture. With two failed products behind them, they were developing a make-or-break gaming console for Sega when they realised that continuing with their chosen tech architecture would lead to failure. They faced a difficult choice – complete the contract, and go bankrupt; or ask Sega for release and payment.

In an unusual act of kindness in the business world, Sega’s CEO released them and paid them in full – $5 million at the time. With this lifeline, Nvidia developed a breakthrough chip, ultimately leading to the creation of the world’s first programmable chip, or graphics processing unit. This paved the way for the 1999 stock listing and the development of a multibillion-dollar company. But by the mid-2000s developing chips for PC gaming was a crowded space. Instead of simply protecting their business, Nvidia’s founders – led by Jensen Huang – made a bold move.

They pivoted into the unproven market for AI chips, a ‘zero-billion dollar’ market at the time. This decision redefined their fortunes and those of the entire technology industry. Huang’s view? Luck requires effort, commitment and amazing people (including the best AI researchers in the world). When others believe in the change you envision, you can achieve amazing things. I’d add that effective and honest communication is vital to avoid stress, confusion and distrust, and chaos.

Whether it’s at the company, societal or individual level, identifying one’s core values lies at the heart of resilience and reinvention. In the case of tennis legend Roger Federer, it was his love of tennis, excellence and competition that enabled him to reinvent his game.

Between the ages of 33 and 36, Federer did not win a single Grand Slam and was dismissed as past his prime. By identifying his values and holding onto them, he adapted, coming to the net more, introducing a new one-handed backhand, overhauling his training regime for more rest and recovery, and switching to new racket technology. By staying true to his core values and adapting everything else, Federer showed how deeply held principles can guide us through change and help us progress despite challenges.

Change, the cliché goes, is constant and often beyond our own control. It’s also true that disorder and disintegration, although daunting, create spaces for new possibilities and transformation. And that is a little about how I feel about SA, and our society, as we face the changes and challenges ahead.

Navigating difficult societal changes requires wisdom and consideration for others – attributes that often seem scarce at the macro level but can be found in abundance at the micro or community level. We need to diligently practise the art of continuous and authentic dialogue, and for leadership to take meaningful actions beyond symbolic gestures, remaining committed to improvement over time.

As individuals, embracing change means constantly evolving and not fearing the unknown. By focusing on personal growth, kindness and emitting positive energy, we can inspire communities to thrive on possibilities, inclusivity and collective betterment.

By Sasha Planting