Hello,
November 9, 2025 marks 36 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall—a moment when the people of East Germany peacefully overcame one of the most authoritarian regimes of the 20th century.
How was such change possible under the iron control of the East German regime and the Soviet Union? And what can it teach us about creating change today?
The Emotional Shift That Made History
For decades, fear and hopelessness kept East Germans from acting on their longing for freedom and democracy. Then, in the summer of 1989, something changed.
A small group of citizens in Leipzig began gathering for Monday Peace Prayers—and soon after, they held peaceful demonstrations calling for freedom. Week after week, more people joined them: from a few dozen at first to 70,000, then 120,000, and by late October, over 320,000 in a city of just half a million.
Their courage and optimism spread across East Germany like wildfire. Within weeks, millions took to the streets, and on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell—without a shot fired.
The 3.5% Rule: Change Starts Small
Research on nonviolent movements shows that it takes only about 3.5% of a population acting consistently and courageously to create lasting change (BBC article, 13 May 2019).
The Peaceful Revolution of East Germany proves that a small, inspired minority can awaken the courage of millions—enough to create large-scale transformational change.
Inspiration: The Key Emotion for Change
Our emotions drive our behavior. While fear and apathy hold people back, it is inspiration that moves them forward.
As a leader, one of the most powerful ways to inspire is to connect your vision to people’s highest aspirations—just as the vision of freedom inspired the people of East Germany to rise up peacefully in 1989.
Inspiration provides the energy for people to act. When people see their highest aspirations reflected in your vision, they are more deeply motivated to make that vision a reality.
Leadership in Action
As it was with the first peaceful demonstrators in Leipzig, when enough people get inspired by a shared vision, change becomes inevitable.
The ability to inspire is the most powerful leadership competency in that it can transform ordinary efforts into extraordinary movements.
What first step, however small, can you take today to inspire others to act toward the future you would like to see?
👉 Watch this brief video clip (7th in a 10 part series): Inspiration – The Energy for Mobilizing
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Interested in previous videos in the series? Go to: www.reinerlomb.com/recordings/
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Thank you,
Reiner
