Research shows that less than 30% of change efforts succeed. In any other profession, a 70% failure rate would be unacceptable. It’s time we make it so in the professional ranks of leadership. While the ability to accelerate organizational change is arguably the most important role of a leader, it is still one of the least understood.
Some leaders may excel at creating long-range strategy or executing short-term plans—skills they acquire through innate ability and experience—but few have mastered the art of getting people to change the way they approach their jobs. Great leaders of change positively impact business performance by engaging employees in the change process.