Quick take:
- Lasting transformation isn’t about delivering a change program - it is about shifting how people think, feel, and work.
- The actual missing piece isn't just about technology or governance. It is the human mindset and its profound impact on sustained change.
- To create change that sticks, leaders must show up with clarity, consistency, and connection.
Transformation Isn’t the Destination
When people talk about transformation, there’s often a hidden assumption: that it ends. That there’s a finish line. But in our recent webinar Beyond Transformation: The Missing Piece for Sustainable Change That Lasts, hosted alongside with our guest speaker, Elise Keen, Program Manager at Origin Energy, the central idea was this:
"Transformation isn’t the destination. It’s the invitation."
It is an invitation to lead differently. To engage differently. To think differently about what change really means in your organisation. This is why it's crucial to understand the nuances of why so many change efforts lose momentum - even when they tick all the boxes on paper.
Spoiler: it’s not the tools or frameworks that are missing. It’s resonance. The webinar dives deeper into these common pitfalls, offering actionable strategies to overcome them.
Change That Sticks Starts with People
If I had to sum up real transformation in one line, it would be:
"Real transformation is something you embody, not something you roll out."
When people are included early - not just informed late - you create ownership. When they get to participate in the design of the change and have a voice, they feel heard. When you connect change to something meaningful, you create momentum. And when you invest in capability up front, you reduce the fear and friction that so often derail change.
Elise nailed it when she said:
“You can’t automate clarity. You have to earn it - in how you lead, how you engage, and how you listen.”
What Gets in the Way (and What to Do About It)
Even with the best intentions, transformation can stall. Three clear patterns came up in our discussion:
- Leadership and frontline disconnect - When the intent from above doesn’t match the experience on the ground, trust erodes.
- Engagement without safety - You can’t expect contribution if people don’t feel safe to speak up. For example, if team members are afraid to voice concerns, critical issues remain unaddressed.
- Under-investment in capability - If people don’t have the skills, support, or space to adapt, they disengage.
The fix? Shift the focus from speed to meaning. From broadcast to co-creation, from surface-level updates to deep capability-building. These shifts are challenging but essential for lasting change, and the webinar explores how to navigate them effectively.
Three Takeaways to Carry Forward
There were three key takeaways from the webinar:
- Capability must come first. Don’t treat learning as a follow-up. Build it into the fabric of transformation. Change should feel like growth, not an exam. Discover how we unpack this capability-first approach in the full webinar.
- Stories move people more than stats. Yes, metrics matter - but they won’t win hearts. It’s the human stories, the relevance, and the “why now” that drive action. The webinar shares powerful examples of how storytelling drives buy-in.
- Resonance beats rollout. Fast is tempting, especially under pressure. But people don’t adopt what they don’t understand. Inclusion creates buy-in, and that takes time and trust. Learn how to foster resonance over rapid deployment in the webinar replay.
A Closer Look: Change in the Utilities Sector
Utilities are a great case study in complex, long-haul transformation. You’ve got legacy infrastructure, high public scrutiny, and essential services that can’t skip a beat.
So, how are leaders in this space making it work?
- They’re designing with the frontline teams. Adoption is faster and more credible when it starts with the people doing the work.
- They’re treating transformation as an ongoing service, not one-off projects. This mindset shift enables deeper investment in support structures.
- They’re focusing on trust as both a condition and an outcome through transparency, storytelling, and consistency.
Another great quote from Elise summed this up well:
“We’re not just modernising systems. We’re stewarding trust in how we operate.”
Final Reflection: Leadership That Lasts
During the webinar, I said:
“People don’t resist change. They resist ambiguity.”
Transformation doesn’t need more noise. It needs leaders who consistently demonstrate clarity, conviction, and consistency. The webinar provides practical insights on how leaders can become effective translators, reducing ambiguity and fostering genuine engagement.
When leaders become translators, not just decision-makers, they help teams make sense of what’s happening and why it matters. And when people see their role in the story, they stay connected emotionally, operationally, and culturally.
What’s Next?
Whether you’re starting a transformation or reigniting one, here’s the thing to remember:
Change that lasts isn’t about delivering a project. It’s about building a culture.
And that takes leadership with presence, purpose, and patience. Because when we lead with intention and keep it human, long-lasting real transformation is possible.
Ready to unlock the missing piece for lasting change in your organisation? Watch the full webinar replay now to gain actionable strategies.
If you're navigating similar challenges, I'd love to connect and explore how our insights can help. Please feel free to connect with me via my email (brendan@radically.co.nz) or connect with me via LinkedIn.
