Lost in the Middle? Avoid the Transformation Black Hole

Transformation Leadership Episode 10

Transformation Leadership Series: Episode 10 – The Black Hole of Transformation

Every transformation starts with excitement—a clear vision, strong momentum, and an energized leadership team ready to make things happen. But somewhere along the way, many transformations fall into what I call the Black Hole of Transformation.

It’s that space where everything feels busy, but the clarity fades. Leaders are unsure about what’s happening inside the transformation beyond the lists of projects and metrics on reports. Governance meetings become repetitive cycles of reviewing dashboards, colours, and numbers that don’t always tell the real story. And as time passes, transformation becomes less of a force for change and more of a machine delivering updates with no real sense of direction.

So, how do we stop transformations from falling into this black hole? Here are three critical elements that keep transformations alive, impactful, and connected to the organization’s purpose.

1. Crafting an Intervention Model That Works

One of the most critical skills for a transformation leader is the ability to craft a dynamic intervention model with the business. This isn’t about stepping in and micromanaging or trying to “stay on top of everything.” Instead, it’s about building structured touchpoints that give you the right insights at the right time.

An effective intervention model allows transformation leaders to:

• Understand what’s really happening in key areas without creating unnecessary bottlenecks.
• Identify challenges or misalignments early and act swiftly to course-correct.
• Support teams with the guidance and tools they need without being overly intrusive.

Transformation leaders need to strike a balance between being informed and empowering the teams driving the work. The goal is not to "control" transformation but to navigate and enable it effectively.

2. Governance that Enables, Not Just Reports

In many organizations, transformation governance becomes a mechanical exercise—a portfolio review, a set of status reports, and a lot of data that often lacks context. This type of governance doesn’t help the transformation succeed; it simply creates more bureaucracy.

True governance is about enabling transformation, not just monitoring it. This means:

• Creating a structure that unlocks barriers, makes decisions, and solves problems.
• Ensuring that governance meetings are action-oriented, with clear takeaways and next steps.
• Aligning governance to the transformation's broader vision ensures every discussion ties back to the purpose.

Leaders need to stop thinking of governance as a reporting mechanism and start viewing it as a critical enabler of progress.

3. Building a Strong Narrative

Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of transformation is the need for a compelling narrative. Transformation isn’t just a series of projects—it’s a journey, a story that aligns the entire organization around a shared purpose.

Without a narrative, transformation efforts can feel disjointed and disconnected. A solid narrative answers critical questions like:

• Where are we going, and why does it matter?
• What progress have we made, and what challenges are we facing?
• How is this transformation making a difference for our people, customers, and stakeholders?

This narrative isn’t just for external stakeholders—it’s also for the teams driving the transformation. When people understand the story of the transformation, they feel connected, inspired, and motivated to push forward. Without it, transformation becomes a black hole where effort is expended, but meaning is lost.

Conclusion: Avoiding the Black Hole of Transformation

Transformation doesn’t have to fall into the black hole. Leaders can keep their transformations grounded, transparent, and impactful by focusing on crafting effective intervention models, building governance that enables, and creating a strong narrative.

The key is to move beyond the mechanics of transformation and focus on what truly drives success: clarity, alignment, and purpose. Transformation isn’t just about delivering projects—it’s about creating lasting value and meaningful change.

As transformation leaders, it’s our responsibility to design programs that succeed and inspire. Let’s lead intentionally and ensure no transformation is lost to the black hole.

This episode concludes the Transformation Leadership Series. Thank you for staying with me, and stay tuned for another Connect& newsletter episode next week.

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Transformation Executive or Advisor of the Year Award

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I am still buzzing and receiving compliments from many fellow leaders and peers worldwide. I am truly grateful for everyone who supported me and cheered me.

Till next week

Jess Tayel

Founder of the People of Transformation membership & community.

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.