More and more leaders are recognising the importance of enabling and encouraging each leader to transform individually if they want to change the business so it disrupts the status quo within its current marketplace. The CEO can “announce” that change is critical and can even be employed with the mandate to drive the change journey – however until each member of the leadership team commit to individual transformation then the change will not happen. The CEO can request a more collaborative approach and say they want a “one team” approach – however that is going to require each member of the leadership team to transform individually. This takes deep levels of trust and the courage to let go of the old ways – the ways that have stood them in such good stead; in fact that is what earned them their current role in the leadership team.
Many Thought Leaders and business leaders are talking about the importance of collaboration if we want to future proof business – and this is true; it is critical. However I think far too many of us have under-estimated the degree of individual transformation this is going to take. It means shaking up the deep seated beliefs and behaviours of most of our top leaders. Power, fear, anger, retribution and many other very raw emotions will rise to the fore during this period of change. Personally experiencing it with clients and within firms when I was part of the culture, it never ceases to amaze me how powerful the “politics” become during these times. Rallying the troops for a cause is done easily through these political gateways where we offer favours and protect each other’s backs – all with the ultimate intent of protecting the old way.
So if you are planning to change the business, to disrupt the status quo, to encourage more collaboration, to deepen engagement, then don’t under estimate the importance and criticality of individual transformation of each member of the leadership team. Recognise the importance of trust and courage and work hard to strengthen both with each individual within the leadership team.
