The force of gravity of what we call the "comfort zone" and power of inertia is so strong that in a paraphrase to Max Planck's quote, you can think of it as: "Change happens one funeral at a time."
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The well-known German theoretical physicist Max Planck, explained how new scientific truths get implemented. A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually disappear, move on, become less vocal, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with the next truth.
Or in short:
“Science advances one funeral at a time.”
What it actually means, when applying this concept to transformations or change management in general, is that when you are planning a significant change, your plan better have two equally important parts. One, the obvious one, will focus on the benefits of the brave new world. And the other one, equally, or maybe even more important will focus on answering the one question everyone will ask "Why change?".
If you under-estimate the enormous force of human nature we generally call the "comfort zone", old habits, and the power of inertia, its waves will drown even the most compelling and well-thought-of change initiative.
You cannot win by focusing only on explaining the value, pros, and benefits of the "new". The way you win is by putting enough effort into explaining why should the comfortable and familiar put aside. The emphasis required to convince that the "old" should be abandoned, will most likely out rank by a big gap any effort needed to explain the benefit of the old.
To paraphrase to Max Planck's quote, think of it as:
Change happens one funeral at a time
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