Tackling Change from Within an In-House Legal Function

Abstract

Different Different, But Same: the Magic Mix for Change to be a Catalyst for Success “Same Same, but Different” is an expression heard regularly in Thailand (and elsewhere), often used when a person wants to tell someone nicely the opposite of what that person expected or wanted to hear. Some companies still metaphorically assert “Same Same” when it comes to recognizing change or believing it can be a force for good. Those that did not evolve because they viewed past success as justification for stagnation, blind to the evolution of what people wanted, the availability of innovative alternatives (Blockbuster, Kodak) or those whose early success lead to unchecked arrogance (and a deteriorating, toxic culture) created space for others to do better who then, in fact, did better. In response to those with this “Same Same” attitude towards change, the market answered using the full expression, emphasizing “but Different.” Such companies needed to have a fundamentally different mindset towards change as their overconfidence and wilful blindness was a recipe for failure.