We were told that “people avoid and scare changes” and, more than a habit or behavior, I believe it’s a leadership issue.
Changes are evolution and transformation, since “nothing is created nothing is destroyed everything is transformed” (cit. Heraclitus)
In my career experiences with transformation, I experimented and learned a lot:
Coping with different people & complex contexts, leading multicultural and multifunctional teams and pioneering strategical business transformations: really challenging moments full of lessons and insights.
I am convinced that leadership plays a critical role in driving successful business transformation; there are some key aspects that are essential and crucial for guiding teams and organizations through change:
- Strategic Vision & Action with appropriate rhythm
Effective leaders involve departments & people and communicate a clear vision for the transformation, they craft a long-term strategic plan, with clear goals aligned with the organization’s core purpose.
They think to resource allocation as investments and they integrate digitalization as a strategic tool across the organization.
- Leading by example the Cultural Change
Transformational leaders recognize the need to reshape organizational culture and they act as “director of the orchestra”, creating a culture of open communication, commitment & responsibility, innovation, risk-taking, and experimentation:
- Promoting agile – test & learn – measurable processes and a mindset open to change
- Encouraging learning from collaboration & best practices share
- Enabling and Empowering individuals & teams
Leaders enable and empower their teams through coaching & mentoring and motivating employees to participation and autonomy, encouraging creativity and diverse perspectives and engaging employees in the change process.
- Leading Networks
In today’s interconnected world & business environment, leaders must foster customer orientation and build collaborative partnerships – internally and externally – identifying evolving customer needs, market trends, and competitors strategy as well.
In my credo, people are the key in any transformation journey and I am convinced that effective leaders love people.
Real leaders are commitment to personal growth, are open-minded and looking for new ideas & perspectives and are able to manage the so called “contrarian people”, since they practice situational leadership and their style is unique.
Real leaders are adaptable, flexible and passioned for innovation; real leaders are good listener and have the humility and willingness to admit they don’t have all the answers.
It’s a mix of focusing on strategic vision, cultural change, empowerment, and collaboration: this is how executives can successfully guide their organizations through complex business transformations in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
Transformation is a journey and we need real leaders, passioned with challenges and passioned with people, continuous learners, pragmatic with vision, committed to inspire & promote new leaders.
The old fashioned “top down” way doesn’t work and doesn’t last.
Inspire & promote new leaders is the best way to create a culture of evolution & change and to make a positive environment, open to transformation and continuous improvement, to unlock a culture of excellence.
