Why Change Initiatives Fail

Change initiatives have become a constant event in most organizations today. Competitive pressures, innovation and access to information have increased the frequency and shortened the cycles of change. The need for structured and sustainable approaches to strategic change and learning is increasing.

Change initiatives are complex, often trying to achieve too many things at the same time.

New concepts, models and processes are often thoroughly considered in the context of desired business results. However, without credible communication learning or the engagement of relevant stakeholders, change initiatives will fail to achieve the desired results.

Research has unveiled the most common
reasons for failure of change initiatives

Reason Solution
#1 Not establishing a great enough sense of urgency >50% observed companies Understand how hard it is to drive people out of their comfort zone
#2 Lacking a vision Focus is on plans, directives, manuals and programs
#3 Under-communicating the vision by a factor of ten Communication is not credible, and not enough. The hearts & minds of the troops are not captured
#4 Not removing obstacles to the new vision Organizational structures, narrow job descriptions, personal attitudes keep change from happening
#5 Not anchoring changes in the corporation’s culture No conscious attempt to show people how new behaviors, approaches and attitudes have helped improve performance

*Source: Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail. By John P. Kotter. Harvard Business Review. Jan 2007.