Apr16
Why Change Really Fails: A Strategic View on People × Systems × Execution Gaps
Everyone blames people for resisting change
But that’s not the real reason change fails.
In my work across banking, marine offshore, and professional services, I’ve seen one consistent pattern: misalignment between people, systems, and strategy derails transformation.
This is the breakdown I see most often - and what I shared recently in a visual format on LinkedIn. Here’s the deeper view:
1. Change doesn’t fail because people resist.
It fails because leadership skips the hard work of alignment. If strategy, systems, and people aren’t moving together, change stalls, or worse, backfires.
2. People don’t fear change. They fear 'chaos'.
What they resist is being thrown into uncertainty without clarity, support, or context. Change feels threatening when it’s badly led.
3. Here’s what people really resist:
Confusion – No clarity on the purpose or path
Exclusion – Change is done to them, not with them
Poor Sponsorship – Leaders disappear after kickoff
4. Intent vs. Reality: The Leadership Gap
“We’ve communicated everything.” → “No one told us why.”
“The plan is clear.” → “Execution is chaos.”
“We gave support.” → “We’re doing this alone.”
Sound familiar? It’s not a comms issue. It’s a system gap.
5. Ask this before your next transformation:
Are we leading people through change… or just leaving them to survive it?
Change doesn’t land unless you guide people through it.
6. The takeaway?
In urgent, messy transformations, there’s one pattern that holds:
Change succeeds when People × Systems × Strategy move together.
This article is adapted from my original LinkedIn post
Follow me for grounded takes on what drives transformation, beyond buzzwords.
Keywords: Leadership, HR, Change Management
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