The Most Overlooked Factor in Organizational Transformation
What is the number one thing that gets missed when organizations plan for transformation or change?
Intentionally preparing your people managers to be the leaders you need them to be.
And before you say, “but that’s their job,” consider this: research shows nearly 70% of managers say they are uncomfortable communicating with employees. No qualifiers. Not in specific situations. Just in general.
If managers are already uneasy about basic communication, how much more challenging will it be for them to guide their teams through times of change?
Nothing sinks a transformation faster than uncertainty trickling down through the ranks. You’ve probably seen it happen: a team member asks in a side chat, “What does this mean for us?” and their supervisor responds with, “This is the first I’m hearing about it,” or “They gave us a heads up, but I have a lot of questions myself.”
When leaders don’t feel equipped to guide change, confidence erodes quickly — both theirs and their teams’.
Leading Change Is a Skillset
Leading change well is not just about sharing updates or repeating key messages. It’s a skillset — one that needs to be learned, practiced, and refined. Managers and supervisors need the right tools to support connection, communication, and coaching if they’re going to be effective guides through uncertainty.
The good news is this: when you invest in building change leadership skills for your executives and supervisors, your organization builds critical capacity to keep improving at transformation overall.
Why It Matters Now
In a time when so many things are changing at such a rapid pace, organizations can’t afford to approach every shift in “crisis mode.” New ways of working need to be adopted thoughtfully, with trust and alignment. Prioritizing change leadership training, tools, and support is an investment that pays off in multiple ways:
Decreased turnover
Increased trust and morale
Greater organizational stamina and stability
Growth for leaders and supervisors
Improved strategic decision-making
Higher adoption and success rates
And more.
The Takeaway
If your organization wants to succeed in transformation, don’t assume managers will “figure it out.” Equip them. Train them. Give them tools.
Because when people managers are confident and prepared to lead through change, the entire organization becomes more strategic, adaptable, and resilient.
Further Resources
I work with senior executives at established nonprofits to create strategic clarity and lead change well.
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If you’d like to explore how to strengthen change leadership capacity in your organization, get in touch — I’d be glad to connect.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash