To thrive in today's marketplace, doing business as usual isn't going to work as a strategy against your competitors. And while most leaders acknowledge this, in one form or another, business as usual continues. Why is that?
Why don't more organizations embrace transformation and incorporate ongoing transformation into the culture? Simply put, it doesn't happen until the leader understands transformation, is interested in being transformed and is committed to transforming his/her organization.
Transformation requires purposefulness and tenacity of the leader until the desired culture is realized. This takes times, sometimes 18 to 24 months or longer. The transformational leader must be focused and take the needed time to think ahead to what can be - to challenge him or herself to dream the impossible. A transformational leader with a compelling vision will drive the organization to accomplish incredible outcomes and goals.
Today the word "Transformation" is used frequently, but many people perceive it to be interchangeable with plain old "change". While transformation is change, not all change is transformational (Survival is Optional by Marcia Daszko and Sheila Sheinberg, PhD). Transformation is often misunderstood and consequently incorrectly referenced.
Transformation, which is the process of dramatically moving from current state to a new and completely different one, has never been more needed. What often happens in practice is organizations introduce changes with limited long term follow-up and leadership oversight. With this practice, it is unlikely to sustain change, much less have favorable results over time.
Most people become fatigued with constant changes that seem to have no tie to anything. More often than not there isn't a vision or grand plan, just a popular idea for a change. This doesn't work if you wish to have a transformational organization that is poised to move quickly and adapt to market changes.
There are many drivers mandating the need for organizations to transform. Technology is quickly forcing leaders to think differently about the work within their organization. It is a strong driver for transformation. Like it or not, technology is here to stay, it is global and it is an incredible tool for businesses if leaders can dare to be creative in using technology. Methods for advertising your business, selling your products and services, determining your market, and recruiting employees change with technological advances and require you to think about your business very differently. To embrace a new business strategy and methods today require transformation.
If businesses don't embrace a transformational approach to business, they aren't likely to be around in the future. What stops you from embracing transformation? Take the time to dream big and then put in the required energy to make your dreams a reality! Dare to transform!
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