What are some examples of leaders successfully transforming their organisations?

In an era of unprecedented change, successful organizational transformation has become a critical skill for leaders. According to a recent McKinsey study, only 30% of transformations achieve their intended goals. So what sets apart the leaders who successfully navigate these complex waters? To shed light on this crucial question, we’ve gathered insights from industry experts who have firsthand experience in driving organizational change.

Our first contributor is Didier Marlier, a seasoned leadership consultant and author with over 25 years of experience guiding Fortune 500 companies through transformations. Didier shares his perspective on exemplary leaders who have successfully reshaped their organizations, offering valuable lessons for executives and managers facing similar challenges.

Let’s explore Didier’s insights on the question: What are some examples of leaders successfully transforming their organisations?

Didier Marlier

Didier Marlier, a seasoned leadership consultant, author, and professor with over 25 years of experience guiding Fortune 500 companies through transformations, provides insights on leaders successfully transforming their organizations. He draws from his observations during the COVID-19 crisis to illustrate examples of great leadership in times of uncertainty.

According to Marlier, successful leaders during organizational transformation demonstrate humility and transparency. He cites the Swiss government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a prime example: “We need to be honest with you. We are completely unprepared for what’s happening to us. We don’t know. We have no solution.” This admission of vulnerability and commitment to open communication set them apart from leaders who claimed to have all the answers.

Key characteristics of leaders who successfully transform organizations include:

1. Honesty about uncertainties and challenges
2. Willingness to adapt strategies as new information emerges
3. Clear and transparent communication with stakeholders
4. Engagement with the public in decision-making processes

Marlier emphasizes that effective leaders in times of crisis avoid polarizing rhetoric and instead focus on building trust through authenticity. He contrasts this approach with leaders who “pretended to know” or claimed “there was an easy way out,” which often led to less successful outcomes.

As organizations continue to face unprecedented challenges, Marlier’s insights offer valuable guidance for leaders navigating complex transformations. By embracing vulnerability, maintaining open communication, and adapting to new information, leaders can more effectively guide their organizations through periods of significant change.