Observations/Reflections: On Perseverance in the Development of a Categorical Shift in Business Operations
Status: Dictated but Not Reviewed
Written: 10/21/09
Published: 12/09/09
Dictated By: Flint McGlaughlin

It is interesting for me to note that John Whitehead of Goldman Sachs persevered for years in implementing his new model in the institution. In the words of Charles D. Ellis, "It would take ten years and several false starts before Whitehead's innovation worked out."

Despite these difficulties, Whitehead's model propelled Goldman Sachs to first place and was eventually copied by all of the major firms. My own organization can learn from this example.