FROM OUR CEO

Change Blocker 5: The Result of Arrogant Neglect?

January 29th, 2024 | From our CEO

Many leaders initiate several change programs per year. Sometimes we see double digit numbers – and few times even triple digit numbers.

In 2023, Gartner reported that the number enterprise-wide transformations would increase by 200% until 2026.

This growth makes the fifth of the six change blockers identified by Innovisor even more important to mitigate

Neglect will decrease the already low probability of change success..

Change Blocker 5 concerns the follow-through of leaders of the change programs they initiate. Currently, only 1 in 5 leaders follow through on their change programs. Most lose interest right after initiation.

The consequence is detrimental for many of the people impacted by the change. They bring home frustrations, which then again impact families and friends outside the workplace.

Leaders that do NOT follow through on their change programs display – in the words of J. Rufus Fear – an:

The ‘innocent’ in this case being the employees, and the ‘arrogance’ being leaders not doing what is needed to make the change initiated succeed.

It is schoolbook knowledge that follow-through is paramount importance to ensure execution and focus.

My recommendation is for any change to implement a follow-up routine that allows you to recalibrate project team, deliverables and plans on a bimonthly basis.

Quarterly is too seldom and monthly is too often. Bi-monthly is better practice and ensures consistent and disciplined execution and focus. When 80% of leaders do not follow through on their change it is a result of arrogant neglect!

There is simply no good excuse!?!