Memo to the c suite- you are not the main driver of change

Memo to the C-suite: You are not the main driver of change

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Many executives believe organization change is driven from the top down.

Others argue for a bottom-upapproach, with change initiatives being pushed organically by employees on the front lines.

Our research tells a different story.

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Our data shows the most successful change programs radiate neither from the top nor bottom of the organization, but from the center – from business unit leaders.

Where does the real power for successful change lie?


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1 Effectively implementing change

2 Delivering business benefits

3 Ensuring high levels of sustained business performance

Business unit leaders play the most significant role in:


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2 3

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In our research studying nearly one million change journeys, we identified 10 major drivers of successful change – with business leadership having the most significant impact on business performance and a substantial effect on benefits realization.

Nothing budges without being nurtured, nudged, pushed or prodded by business unit leadership

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From the top down business unit leaders translate the corporate vision into terms staffers can understand and embrace. From the bottom up they ensure teams below them are well led and have the resources to do their jobs.

Business unit leaders connect the top and bottom of the organization


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Strength at the top can be counterproductive if there are leadership deficiencies elsewhere.

Successful change requires strong leadership at all levels

Highest-performing change programs have strong, consistent capabilities in leading change across all levels of leadership.

Lowest-performing change programs have strong leadership capability at the top to implement change, but diminishing capabilities at the business unit leader and team leader levels.


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1 Set the vision and create the environment for change, removing roadblocks that get in the way of widespread emotional commitment.

The role of the C-suite in driving change? Be the catalyst…not the driver


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The C-suite as the catalyst for change

2 Ensure the right business leaders are in place with the comprehensive set of skills needed to work with the C-suite, team leaders and teams to drive change.


30-40%Improvement in the level of business leadership is often required to bring off-track change back on track.

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Our data shows that attaining the highest levels of business performance requires this core strength, enabling organizations not just to endure change but truly thrive on it.

The C-suite as the catalyst for change

3 Work through business leadership to build change capability across all levels of the organization.


11Copyright © 2016 Accenture All rights reserved.

Learn more:

www.accenture.com/BusinessLeadersDriveChange

Also read “Turning change upside down: How new insights are changing old assumptions”:www.accenture.com/MythsofChange

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