Have you set your programme up to fail?

This is my equation for business transformation. 75% or more of them fail. The equation highlights how easy it is at a mathematical level to turn a transformation into a failure. One negative in the equation turns the whole thing red. Yet nobody comes to work to fail. Nobody

sets up a transformation with the expectation it will not succeed. If that’s the case, why do they fail and why do so many fail? Two key reasons come to mind. The first is the adoption of traditional leadership practises and the second is using the same generic processes or small variations away from it that have led to this poor success rate. Together these can be regarded as the often-misattributed quote that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Looking at the process and behaviours around it, here are my top 10 observations leading to failure. Any one of these is enough to turn one of the elements in the equation red.

1. How we articulate The Problem - it has be be big and complex.

2. How we Sell it to the executive and board teams - it has to be a big costly solution.

3. We pretend The Benefits are fact and not just a set of directional guesses.

4. We present multiyear Plans as detailed facts and are not honest they too are guesses.

5. We do all this with a very small Team and don't allow others to help build and challenge when they join to help deliver.

6. Often the leader gets carried away and allows their Ego to become a driving force.

7. Too often we give Change Management lip service and don't plan and execute it properly.

8. We launch a branded programme with mug instead of making our First Steps baby steps.

9. We sell it well and the CEO and CFO convince the Board, it soon becomes Too Important to Fail.

10. The CEO and the Board believe the hype and demos are real until it becomes Too Late to Intervene.......

As per the equation, only one or two of these need to come to pass to increase the risk of failure. If you can tick the top 8 then you are doomed to be in the 75%.

To understand the transformation equation, for more detail on the 10 reasons and how to avoid these traps read - read the book - How to be the Grit in The Oyster.  It also include many more hints and tips on how to be a better leader.