Navigating Change? You Might Need a Chief Transformation Officer

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If you’re like most organizations, you’re going through a lot right now. There’s a ton of change happening.?

You probably experienced a digital transformation not too long ago (or are in the middle of one!). With all the changes our society has gone through the last three years, you’ve likely seen a cultural transformation. And a lot of organizations are navigating a sustainability transformation, too.

That’s a lot to handle. And it’s not something just anyone can manage. People need to be seen and led in a very different way ––?and that’s why you might need a chief transformation officer.?

I (understandably!) get a lot of questions about this role, so let’s start with the most basic one:

What is a chief transformation officer?

A chief transformation officer is essentially an extension of the chief executive officer. They have the support of the CEO and can speak with the authority of that position to get things done.

And that means piecing together the seemingly disparate things going on in a company and making everything work together.

They look at everything in an organization ––?not just the current operations but all the innovations, too –– and navigate the messy process of aligning change across every single business unit.?

What’s the difference between a program management office and a transformation management office?

A program management office tends to work on a very distinct set of projects, maybe even a portfolio of projects, that aren’t necessarily related to each other.?

But a transformation management office (run by the chief transformation officer, of course!) is in charge of making big changes to the business and the strategy. It’s responsible for aligning and coordinating the changes and initiatives, including transforming a company’s culture, and making sure everything supports the business strategy.?

What does a chief transformation officer do?

A chief transformation officer’s role is incredibly varied. They’re a corporate architect, an innovator, a customer advocate, a collaborator, and a storyteller.?

They think about what needs to be restructured, they look at a business’s design, and they study its frameworks so they can pull the pieces apart –– and put them back together again in a logical way. And they do that while maintaining operations. (No big deal!)

They also bring new ideas to an organization and act as a customer advocate. Everything they do is centered around the customer. You’ll often hear them justifying their recommendations with: “We’re doing this to better serve our customer.”

What skills does a chief transformation officer need?

Prioritization, operations experience, financial expertise, resilience, and storytelling –– those are some of the most important skills a chief transformation officer needs.

They have to recognize what needs to be on the agenda –– and what doesn’t. They basically have tunnel vision for what really matters! They need to understand what the transformation will cost, the benefits, and all the hidden problems that might unravel if you pull just one string.?

And they need to create a narrative around what the change looks like, so other people can align around the story, relate to it, and tell their own stories.

A good chief transformation officer understands the politics and internal workings of an organization, too. They know how to collaborate with everyone –– from the team members to the C-suite executives.?

And, honestly, this is really hard work. Anyone involved in creating change and driving disruption, including a chief transformation officer, needs to be resilient!

When do you need a chief transformation officer?

Are you seeing a significant number of initiatives across different functions or business units? You might need a chief transformation officer!

And let me be clear: These changes aren’t straightforward, like running down a checklist for a product launch.?

These are changes that require buy-in and a cultural shift. These are changes that will impact a business and be truly transformational. These are changes that can’t be left to chance.

When you need someone to drive that transformation and make sure everyone is aligned, that’s when you need a chief transformation officer.

One thing’s certain: Navigating transformation isn’t an easy job. Nor is it a temporary one. Just because an organization has finished one transformation doesn’t mean they’re done. There are always other transformations that need to happen –– and that need to be managed.?

That’s why organizations should make chief transformation officers a permanent position. And why they should start rethinking their strategic planning so it supports transformations. Next week, I’ll be talking about one way to do this, the six quarter walk, which I actually learned from a chief transformation officer! I’ll see you on Tuesday, November 15 at 9 am PT.

Your Turn

Who manages your transformations? Is it the CEO? Is it a project manager? Do you actually have a chief transformation officer? Are you thinking about getting one? If you have a chief transformation officer, what spurred you to get one? I’d love to hear how your organization manages transformations and if you’re considering hiring a chief transformation officer to help get your initiatives moving. Please share your thoughts in the comments!

This newsletter is sponsored by Workplace from Meta, where culture and technology come together to create a more productive future of work. Check out www.workplace.com/future to learn more.