I started thinking about this question on the back of kicking off a couple of ‘Green Belt’ cohorts this past few weeks. Everyone brings along something they are going to be working on and there’s always a big question around how these things link back to strategy. The words ‘Transformation programme’ crop up again and again, there’s always something going on.

These programmes are triggered in a number of ways such as new CEO, Amp period, Ofwat performance indicator, not having one already BUT are they always transformational AND should there ever be a period where you don’t have one of these running?

So, are they always transformational? I think this depends on your definition.

I used to think changing systems and processes was quite transformational but then I started to think a bit broader about all of the other things involved in bringing about the delivery of a vision and a purpose for a business. When you think about it broader there are a lot more interconnecting things and the most complex and definitely most impactful of these (in my opinion) is the People.

Lots of programmes are very focussed on the technical, mechanical things that go on and these are important BUT they pay little regard to the fabric that weaves all of this together in the interactions of people, how they think, how they behave and how they align towards achieving whatever it is they are there for. If you’re leading and expecting your transformation programme to deliver the goods you may want to have a think closer to home as you may not be going about things in the BEST way. Take a look at this….

We started using this model a while back to frame a conversation about where you may want to start when thinking about business performance, namely on the leadership behaviour and creation of an environment for the people in order to leverage the capability to transform from this base.

I’m not sure there always needs to be a transformation programme running but almost certain that there should be a consistent effort to drive from the B to the T as this in itself may prove quite transformational for the business that the behaviour change takes place within.

So maybe ask yourself,… 

…are you putting your eggs into a technology and process shaped basket without really considering what YOU can do to transform things through YOUR own behaviours?