At a Glance
- Bain & Company research shows employees are 5× more likely to view transformation programs positively when leaders demonstrate visible support.
- Companies that succeed in transformation are 25% more likely to have cohesive and aligned top teams.
- Executives in successful transformations are 30% more likely to feel their leaders are personally committed to the change.
- Effective Chief Transformation Officers (CTOs) act as both strategic advisers to CEOs and hands-on execution leaders, bridging vision and delivery.
Why Leadership Defines Transformation Success
- Strategic: As advisers to the CEO and coaches to the C-suite.
- Operational: Deeply embedded in execution, ensuring initiatives translate into measurable outcomes.
Aligning Leaders at the Top
Transformations demand shared ownership from the very beginning.
• Set Objectives with Intention: Mathieu Staniulis of Desjardins described a six month executive alignment process where the top 10 leaders met biweekly. The result? Transformation objectives became business-wide priorities, not “program priorities.”
• Establish Cadence: Angel Mendez, former CTO at Cisco, emphasized the importance of a steering committee to accelerate decision-making and maintain accountability.
When alignment shifts from “the transformation” to “our transformation”, the momentum is irreversible.
Cultivating Leaders Across the Business
Transformation leadership cannot be delegated.
- Ownership Is Mandatory: Cathy Arledge of Dell Technologies stressed that if senior leaders push responsibility two levels down, the signal is clear—transformation is not a priority. Leaders must be all in.
- Recognition Fuels Momentum: Recognition and visibility motivate leaders to embrace change. When executives are credited with progress, enthusiasm grows, and transformation becomes embedded in the way the business operates.
In short: transformation is not a side project—it is the business strategy itself.
Developing Your Own Leadership as a CTO
CTOs must embody courage, humility, and adaptability.
- Courage Over Popularity: Wilf Blackburn, experienced in leading insurance transformations, noted that credibility comes from making tough calls and taking risks; even when unpopular.
- Nonthreatening but Accountable: Arledge likens the role to “Switzerland”, neutral yet honest, supportive yet uncompromising on accountability.
- Adaptive Style: Mendez explained that CTOs begin as challengers, questioning assumptions, then shift to execution leaders; ensuring delivery. Adaptability is the common denominator.
Ultimately, the CTO’s role is a 360-degree leadership journey; looking outward at customers, competitors, and investors, while looking inward to inspire cultural change.
Key Steps for Chief Transformation Officers
1. Build Executive Alignment
Invest heavily in early alignment. Bain’s research shows top team cohesion is a 25% differentiator between successful and failed transformations.
2. Empower and Recognize Leaders
Effective CTOs create a culture of ownership. Recognize wins, support leaders, and embed accountability across the organization.
3. Own the Role Boldly
Executives in successful transformations are 30% more likely to believe leaders are personally committed. A courageous CTO challenges the status quo, inspires buy-in, and sustains momentum.
Conclusion – Transformation Is Leadership
Transformation success is about leadership at every level. The Chief Transformation Officer is the architect of alignment, culture, and accountability.
Organizations that empower strong CTOs, invest in cultural change, and recognize leadership courage are the ones that turn disruption into long term competitive advantage.
Ready to lead your own transformation? Contact Elev8ive to learn how we partner with leaders to design and execute transformation strategies that deliver measurable results.
