At first, I thought the secret to leading transformation was straightforward: focus on where you want to go.
🔎 It made sense. Set a bold vision, inspire the team, and push forward. But in reality, I learned the hard way that transformation doesn’t work without a clear understanding of where you’re starting from.
Here’s what I wish I knew earlier:⤵️
➡️ 1. Map the starting point
You can’t plan a journey if you don’t know the terrain. Transformation efforts often fail because leaders dive straight into big ideas without assessing the current culture, processes, or limitations. Taking the time to understand the “now” is the foundation for realistic and sustainable change.
➡️2. Acknowledge resistance
People don’t resist change; they resist uncertainty. Skipping over the current state creates confusion and fear among teams. You reduce pushback and build trust by involving people in identifying what’s working and what isn’t.
➡️3. Set milestones, not just goals
A clear vision is essential, but progress happens in stages. Without short-term wins grounded in the current state, the ultimate goal feels out of reach. Break the transformation into manageable steps tied to tangible outcomes.
➡️4. Communicate the gap
Your team needs to see not just where you’re going but why it’s worth the effort. Be honest about the distance between the present and the desired future. When people see progress as achievable, they’re more likely to engage.
This shift in mindset changed how I approach transformation. Instead of rushing toward the destination, I now make the starting point my first priority.
⁉️ Here’s the twist: Could it be that focusing only on vision feels easier because it avoids the discomfort of addressing hard truths?
💡 In leadership, I’ve learned that courage isn’t just about ambition; it’s about confronting the reality of where you are. – Ali Aydan
Ali Aydan: How I Learned the Hard Way About Leading Transformations
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