Leading successful organizational change is hard but rewarding for both the people and the business. Let me share some of my learnings.

Reflections on Leading a Successful Business Transformation

I was once part of a Leadership Team tasked with transforming a struggling, loss-making business into a high-growth, high-earning entity. At the time, many doubted the possibility of success, but we managed to change the trajectory of the business in a significant way. Over a decade later, the positive impact of that transformation is still evident.

Here are some key ingredients that contributed to our success:

Support for the Right Leader

Great leaders come in many forms and with different strengths. While most capable leaders can guide an organization toward success, matching the right leader to the stage of organizational development accelerates success. Some leaders are best at stabilizing a business, while others excel at driving growth once the foundation is laid. Few can thrive in every stage of organizational development. While finding the perfect match isn’t always possible, investing in the best-fit leader and providing strong support is crucial.

One Vision, One Voice

A clear and vivid vision is essential, but it’s not enough on its own. Trust within the organization is built on consistent messaging from all leaders. This includes both formal and informal channels. While differing perspectives are important and should be heard, they must be debated in the right forums, and decisions need to be made. Once decisions are made, alignment within the leadership team and across the organization is key to moving forward effectively.

People Engagement

Successfully bringing the entire organization along during any transformation is critical. In my experience, significant shifts happen when leaders open lines of communication, addressing both the hopes and fears of the people. An engaged team not only increases the chances of success but also reduces stress and resistance during change.

Understand the Degree of Change Needed

When things aren’t working, it's important to be decisive. As we used to say: “Go surgical—paracetamol can only do so much.” Discernment is vital here. Sometimes, minor adjustments can help an organization thrive, but leaders must also have the wisdom and courage to recognize when a more radical change is required. Knowing when to let go of ineffective elements and make bold shifts is a crucial leadership skill.

Stay the Course, but Stay Flexible

Once a well-structured plan for change is in place, consistency is important—unless an unforeseen factor arises. The full benefits of change take time to materialize, and frequent restructuring can be costly. In a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, it’s essential to pick your battles, stay adaptable, and keep your eyes on the long-term goal.

If you are interested on getting more information on how to lead a successful organizational change, get in touch with our leadership coach.