In order to achieve successful transformations, businesses need to harness the knowledge and expertise of middle managers and teams. This requires identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders by enlisting the best middle managers who possess creativity and ingenuity. By empowering these managers to sponsor transformative changes, businesses can create meaningful shifts in their organizations.
One way to achieve this is by actively encouraging middle managers to bring forward innovative ideas and providing necessary support when proposing significant changes. Rewarding bold action and results is also crucial for breakthrough transformation. To achieve this, businesses must undergo a comprehensive reexamination of all aspects of their operations. Rewards should be aligned with the need for wholesale change to reinforce the importance of innovation and effective execution.
However, a traditional top-down approach to business transformation has been shown to be ineffective in delivering long-lasting impacts on business performance. While this approach may be useful for cost-cutting and efficiency, it falls short in creating sustainable transformations. A more inclusive and collaborative approach that involves middle managers and teams can lead to more successful transformations that are both sustainable and long-lasting.