Why Transformation is More Than Problem-Solving: The Art and Science of Change

Transformation Leadership Episode 9

Why Transformation is an Art, a Science, and a Practice

Transformation is often misunderstood. Many organizations view it as a linear process of problem-solving, planning, and governance. In reality, transformation is far more complex—it’s a practice, an interplay of art and science that requires mastery, discipline, and orchestration. When organizations fail to see transformation for what it truly is, the result is often diluted efforts, minimal ROI, and a frustrated workforce.

In this episode, we’ll explore why transformation is more than just tasks and plans, how it draws from multiple disciplines, and the common frustrations organizations face when it’s poorly executed.

1. Transformation is a Practice, Not Just a Plan

Too many organizations approach transformation as if it were simply a matter of creating a to-do list: decide what needs to be done, plan it out, and follow up until completion. This approach misses the essence of transformation entirely.

Transformation is a practice—a disciplined art and science that must be learned, refined, and consistently applied. It’s not about adding more “stuff” to an already overloaded business landscape. Yet, many organizations treat transformation as something to be managed “on the side,” expecting leaders to juggle it alongside their regular work. This dilutes transformation, making it little more than an additional workload with limited strategic value.

At the other end of the spectrum, some consulting firms often overcomplicate transformation. With an army of consultants and excessive frameworks, they focus on delivering predefined outputs rather than building sustainable capabilities within the organization. The result? Businesses are left grappling with disconnected tools and processes, without experiencing a true uplift in their ability to lead transformation independently.

True transformation isn’t about doing more or making things bigger—it’s about doing things differently, intentionally, and with purpose. It’s about embedding new ways of working and thinking that generate meaningful outcomes.

2. Transformation is Multidisciplinary and Requires Orchestration

Transformation is not a single-discipline exercise. It’s a complex practice that integrates multiple areas of expertise, requiring orchestration to align them all. A skilled transformation leader must be able to blend these disciplines seamlessly and know how to adapt based on the organization’s unique dynamics.

Here are the key disciplines involved in transformation:

• Customer Experience: Ensuring the transformation is designed with the customer at the center, creating value that resonates with their needs and expectations.
• Service Design: Acting as the bridge between business processes and customer experience, ensuring services are streamlined and meaningful.
• Business Architecture: Structuring the organization to enable strategy execution through business capabilities and various other perspectives to understand where we are at and what uplifts do we need.
• Business Process and Knowledge Management: Defining, streamlining, and organizing business processes and knowledge flows to enhance efficiency and support transformation efforts.
• Strategy Execution: Translating high-level goals into actionable, measurable initiatives that drive results.
• Change Leadership: Leading people through the uncertainty of transformation by fostering engagement, trust, and commitment.
• Change Adoption: Ensuring the changes introduced are embraced, embedded, and sustained within the organization.
• Culture: Shaping and aligning the organization’s culture to support the transformation, ensuring behaviors and values align with the desired future state.
• Delivery: Managing the operational side of transformation to ensure projects are executed on time, within scope, and with quality.
• Technology Enablement: Leveraging technology as a key enabler of transformation, ensuring the tools used are aligned with the broader strategy.
• Business Agility: Embedding flexibility and adaptability to respond to changes in the market, customer demands, and organizational priorities.

On top of managing these disciplines, a transformation leader must master the orchestration of these elements and possess the critical ability to:

• Know what to do next: Understanding the right step to take, when to take it, and why it matters in the bigger picture.
• Focus on the right priorities: Identifying where the most significant impact can be made and concentrating efforts there.
• Determine the right level of depth: Deciding how deep to go in addressing challenges without getting lost in unnecessary details.
• Create intervention models: Knowing how to engage the business in a way that resonates and drives meaningful action.
• Adapt to the organization’s energy and pulse: Tailoring approaches based on the current organizational climate, avoiding overwhelming teams, and ensuring alignment with other ongoing initiatives.

Orchestrating these disciplines isn’t a mechanical task—it’s a nuanced skill that requires adaptability, foresight, and empathy.

3. Why Transformation Often Frustrates Organizations

Many business leaders are skeptical about transformation—and for good reason. When transformation is poorly managed or misunderstood, it creates frustration and distrust. Here are some of the most common grievances:

1. Assuming You Know What’s Best for the Business

Leaders resent it when transformation programs approach their business as if they know more about it than those working within it. Transformation should be collaborative, respecting and integrating the expertise of those on the ground.

2. High-Level Aspirations Without Practical Guidance

It’s easy to set lofty goals and leave the details to business units in the name of “delegation” or “ownership.” But without clear guidance, this approach feels like abandonment. Business units are left to figure it out on their own, creating misalignment and frustration.

3. Staying in the Ivory Tower

Transformation efforts that rely on jargon, abstract concepts, and theoretical frameworks often alienate business leaders. Without tangible, actionable steps, transformation becomes a distant concept rather than a driving force for change.

Conclusion

Transformation isn’t just about hard work, problem-solving, or governance. It’s an intricate practice that requires skillful orchestration, a deep understanding of its multidisciplinary nature, and a focus on creating change that sticks.

Transformation leaders must bridge the gap between strategy and execution, balancing visionary goals with practical, grounded support. When done well, transformation empowers organizations to evolve, thrive, and create lasting value.

One Time Special Offer

✅Get mentored by a global award winning transformation executive & coach?

✅Want to get set up for success for 2025?

✅Don’t want big commitments and huge investments

✅Time poor and want flexibility with high quality and on point mentoring without the fluff

➕This is for Change & Transformation professionals with minimum 7 years experience, Directors, Executives, C-Level, Consulting Partners

➕From any industry or location

➕Usage? Career, Leadership, Practice Elevation, Leading a challenging program, Brand & visibility, C-Level and Board influence, Shaping 2025 Transformation Agenda.

▶If that’s you, I am looking for 5 leaders who want to be mentored by me on a 1:1 basis. This is a one time offer of a short term and low investment mentoring package - short, sharp and on point

🎉Am celebrating my recent awards with this offer with a special 30% discount

Interested?

👉Message me directly on LinkedIn or email me at [email protected] and will send you all the details

Another 2024 Award

2024 Platinum Award Winner & Category Award Winner for Transformation Executive or Advisor of the Year  

Over the moon and grateful to have received such a global and prestigious award. Thanks to everyone who supported me

Till next week

Jess Tayel

Founder of the People of Transformation membership & community.