Here’s President Barack Obama, surprising our office with a visit on 7/3/14.

You know what’s interesting about revolutions? They can be enormous, disruptive events that make waves and change the world — even if it’s just your world. They can be on the edge of war and freedom, instigated by the Founding Fathers themselves, altering history and future forever. Or — they can be simple turns of a bike wheel. One circle’s full cycle.

An organizational culture revolution

Taking the first — ahem — Fourth of July definition, and applying it to organizational culture, this could mean huge changes from leadership that alter everyone’s work and lifestyle. We have complete respect for those who revolutionize a troublesome workplace culture, whether it’s through adding award systems, recognition, food throughout the office, or flexible hours and vacation policies. These revolutions don’t come easily, but everyone’s life improves afterwards.

Using the second definition, we can apply it to workplace culture and see a much quieter series of changes. Positive changes and ideas don’t have to originate from leadership — in the right environment, they can grow from any employee. In this revolution, progress is measured through distance covered because of the mechanics of turning — think RPM of a car’s tires. These revolutions are much smaller in scale, more tangible, way more mundane, and actionable by anyone, but also really important. Try traveling anywhere without them.

What could these two wildly divergent definitions of revolution have in common? I mean, one is vast; the other is tiny. One comes from bold leaders; the other applies to everyone. One’s from history; the other’s home is physics. One explodes straight forward; the other involves a point ending right where it started. Both, however, make something go. In the spirit of last weekend’s Independence Day, and taking on this week refreshed, remember we’ve always needed both kinds of revolutions.

Pamela Kaye does PR and Communications for Stories Incorporated. Questions, comments, concerns, poetic insights? Let me know at info@storiesincorporated.com; I’d love to hear from you!