Ru Zi Ke Jiao

“Change is neither bad, nor good, just inevitable.”

Sam Walton (1918- 1992)

Sam Walton was the world’s richest man when he passed back in 1992. At the time, Bill Gates was #2, and when Sam’s estate was divided among his five heirs, Gates grabbed the number one slot. Today, some 18 years later, Bill Gates maintains the first position, but the Walton’s wealth, if added together, would still place them in the top spot – and by a humongous margin. (Gates has an estimated 52 Billion USD, the 5 Walton’s combined have an estimated 81 Billion USD.)

Wal-Mart of China

What’s all this got to do with the inevitability of change? I’m glad you asked. It’s because that opening quote was from Sam Walton, and it is, without a doubt, the most important thing that I learned during my four years working at what was then and still is today, the world’s largest company, Wal-Mart.

This year, Shenzhen Zhong Xue (SZZX) is going to experience more change, as there is a new Wang being installed as Headmaster. To all of my dear students who are anxious about the upcoming changes, I humbly offer the wisdom of Sam Walton, the world’s richest man:

“Change is neither bad, nor good, just inevitable.”

“Ride the Wave”

Don’t fight the change, go with the flow. Embrace it! Think of change as being waves on the ocean; they arrive in different sizes, one after the other. Now think of yourself as a surfer, riding those waves, not fighting them. Remember, you can fight nature, but you can’t beat her. Change is inevitable.