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Transformation Isn’t Possible Until You are Willing to Renovate.

Writer's picture: Jane R ShantzJane R Shantz


Let’s continue chatting about your business’ eras. Here I’ll outline what’s needed to jumpstart this way of thinking in your organization. In my offsites and virtual sessions, I help moderate and pull together a complete workshop that helps drive change and new ways of thinking.


Next up in your era development is the Move phase which involves building upon the previous Create phase by identifying what to start, stop and continue.


What are you bringing forward, and what are you leaving behind?


A wise word of caution…”transformation” as the name of an era, is often mis-used. A transformation implies dramatic, extreme and radical change; to the point where almost everything gets knocked down, foundations are ripped out and hauled away. How do you feel as I say that? Stressed? Overwhelmed? This is usually how a workforce feels when they hear “transformation”. I like the word “renovation” more. It doesn’t sound as exciting, but in reality a renovation implies that we are keeping the good and taking away what you don’t like. As you think of naming your new era, consider the power of your words, the language and the message that it is sending. Just like renovating your home, this requires commitment. You can’t just demo a wall and walk away. Once you begin your renovation, you have to follow through.


Now the next step is where it starts to get difficult: Strategic Priorities. How are you going to break down this vision and get started? In this step, you’ll try to define the 3-5 big plays that you will make into the new era. This may take some time to brainstorm options, thinking of the impact and implications of each of these big plays, including signaling to stakeholders that this is going to change your business.


Within Strategic Priorities, you have to be relentless:

  1. What will we stop doing to make space for the new era?

  2. What work do we need to do?

  3. What will your organization be or stand for?

  4. When your renovation is done, how will you be resilient and hold your team accountable?

  5. How will you take the knowledge from our offsite and use it in every management meeting?

Strategic Priorities is a critical step and I see most organizations fail here. Don’t try to “fly the plane while building it”; I have seen a lot of organizations dedicate a team to the era work. This is often the most effective strategy, but the leaders need to be heavily involved. Change takes a lot of work, engagement and discussion to keep everyone aligned. Each person has their own perception of the era, which is why it is so important to continually communicate and gain alignment.


Next week, we’ll discuss how to make your move into the new era.

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