The Most Common Problems Surrounding Transformation Talent

Relying on common sense and hard work to drive Transformation?

Transformation Leadership - Set up For Success in 2025

After working closely with over 170 transformation leaders (managers, directors, and C-level executives) across seven countries in 2023 and 2024, a few consistent patterns have emerged.

While transformation talent globally possesses incredible potential, there are three key problems that frequently limit their effectiveness:

1️⃣ Lack of Depth

Transformation is complex, requiring leaders to navigate ambiguity, anticipate challenges, and deliver sustainable impact. Yet, one of the most common limitations I’ve observed is a lack of depth—leaders not diving deep enough into the nuances of their craft.

This shows up as:

• Over-reliance on frameworks without understanding the “why” behind them.
• A surface-level approach to problem-solving, leading to shallow solutions.
• Inconsistent results when applying knowledge across different organizations.

Why this matters:

❌ Without depth, transformation efforts risk becoming fragmented and ineffective. ❌ It undermines credibility, both within the organization and externally. ❌ It limits one’s ability to grow, learn, and lead confidently in a dynamic environment.

✅ The fix: Invest in mastery. True depth comes from curiosity, continuous learning, and real-world application that builds confidence and credibility.

In today's world, leaders cant afford to rely on hardwork and common sense to drive transformation.

2️⃣ Not “Sharpening the Saw” Before Cutting the Tree

Transformation leaders are often under immense pressure to deliver results quickly. This urgency frequently leads to skipping critical planning and preparation steps, diving headfirst into action without clarity.

This mindset leads to:

• Reactive decision-making instead of strategic, deliberate actions.
• Transformation efforts that feel rushed and fragmented.
• Constant firefighting instead of building long-term momentum.

Why this matters:

❌ Rushing transformation creates unnecessary rework, erodes team morale, and damages trust with stakeholders. ❌ It impacts career progression, as leaders who consistently operate reactively are seen as tactical, not strategic.

✅ The fix: Pause, plan, and prioritize. Taking the time to sharpen the saw—through preparation, clarity, and alignment—creates the conditions for long-term success.

3️⃣ Lack of a Multidisciplinary Approach

Transformation touches every corner of the organization. Yet, many leaders approach transformation through the lens of a single discipline—delivery, change, or strategy—rather than integrating the broader picture.

What’s missing:

• Expertise in customer experience, culture, business architecture, change adoption, technology, and more.
• The ability to orchestrate these disciplines into a cohesive transformation journey.
• Recognition that transformation is not linear—it’s interconnected and systemic.

Why this matters:

❌ Narrow approaches create silos, misalignments, and missed opportunities. ❌ It limits the leader’s ability to deliver results and build trust across the organization.

✅ The fix: Develop a multidisciplinary mindset. Understand and integrate the broader ecosystem of transformation disciplines to create lasting impact.

The Impact of Addressing These Gaps

These three problems don’t just affect the organization—they affect the transformation leader directly:

• Eroding confidence when results don’t align with expectations.
• Stalling career progression as peers and leaders notice the gaps.
• Creating unnecessary stress and pressure, ultimately leading to burnout.

By addressing these issues head-on, transformation leaders can elevate their craft, deliver meaningful outcomes, and build a reputation for excellence.

Let’s ensure you’re set up for success in 2025 by tackling these challenges with clarity and purpose.

📌Introducing the Transformation Leadership Institute 🎉

I’m thrilled to share something close to my heart—This month am launching the

➡️Transformation Leadership Institute (TLI)

TLI is all about rethinking transformation, moving away from the hairy, overwhelming, and exhausting transformations of the past, and stepping into a new era of transformation that is:

✨ Structured. Clear. Impactful. ✨

We’re here to help organizations and individual leaders up their game by embracing a multidisciplinary, holistic, and integrated approach to transformation.

☑️👍 One that delivers real outcomes—without the burnout, messy middle, or broken promises.

Your organization needs change, but not the kind that consumes you. What you need is transformation that elevates your people, your capabilities, and your purpose—creating a future that truly matters.

💡 Imagine this:

✅ Transformation that inspires and aligns everyone.

✅ Strategies that drive real progress.

✅ Teams thriving—not just surviving.

At TLI, we’re redefining what’s possible—turning complexity into clarity and helping you lead with confidence.

I’ll be sharing more about TLI and its promise in the coming days—👂🏻👁️🗨️so stay tuned!

🎥 Watch the video to learn more 👇

Let’s celebrate this new way of leading transformation together! 🚀

Till next week

Jess Tayel

Founder of the Transformation Leadership Institute and People of Transformation membership & community.

Enable Organizations to Become Future Fit Through their Transformations & Change efforts.

Elevate Change & Transformation high-performing leaders to soar above the sea of sameness and achieve new heights in mastery, influence, & impact without the drag of going solo or slow progression.