A framework for confronting a pivotal change challenge

Abstract

Purpose

When confronted by high-stakes challenges that require a change of course leaders need fast, high-quality decisions and genuine team alignment on the path forward. To address this problem, we offer an experience-tested framework for confronting defining moments of high complexity, low clarity and weak alignment.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework is based on four key principles: a unifying goal, a requisite variety of people, a group-wide communication network that connects everyone on the team, repeated, high-quality collision.

Findings

Collisions among knowledgeable team members are what produce a solution and buy-in. They are what surfaces relevant understanding about how potential actions are connected.

Practical implications

For effective teams, identify those directly affected by the challenge, those with relevant experiences or specialist know-how and those who will ultimately own and execute solutions.

Originality/value

This step-by-step process guide will be useful to leaders needing to course correct while trying to digitize, merge, turn around, grow, deliver a leading-edge customer experience or during a myriad of other complex pursuits. The high-stakes nature of these challenges becomes apparent when leaders realize that their team’s current course and speed is not going to deliver the needed results and intended impact soon enough or, worse, not at all.

Citation

Komlos, D. and Benjamin, D. (2021), "A framework for confronting a pivotal change challenge", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 49 No. 1, pp. 25-31. https://doi.org/10.1108/SL-12-2020-0150