Transformation vs Development: A Journey Beyond a Single Event

Transformation. The word is often used to describe a seismic shift—an unmistakable event that turns everything on its head. For organizations, it could mean a strategy change, a merger/acquisition, a restructuring, or a disruptive innovation. For individuals, it might signify a career pivot or a life-altering decision. Transformation is bold, impactful, and often celebrated.

But here’s the thing: Transformation is not the whole story. It’s only one chapter in the longer book of growth. The real narrative unfolds in the quieter, subtler, and often more challenging journey of development.

I share these thoughts, as this week we announced a name change for the department I call home in our overall HR (aka P&O) organization at Novartis. From Talent & Transformation to Talent & Development. This was not a refresh, or even a trendy retro throwback, but an intentional signal of distinction.

At Novartis, we see this distinction play out every day. Transformation may give us a new breakthrough medicine, technology, operating model, strategy, or perspective, but development is where the long-term value is created—for individuals, teams, the organization as a whole, and ultimately for our patients. Let’s explore the differences and why both are essential for sustained success.

Transformation: A Catalyst, Not the Destination

Transformation is often the result of a specific, time-bound trigger. It’s about change that feels immediate and tangible. Think of it as flipping a switch—suddenly, you’re operating in a new environment or under a new set of rules.

For example, organizations that undergo a sizable restructuring often see dramatic shifts in how they deliver value. However, this shift is not the endgame—it’s a launchpad. Without ongoing development to build capabilities, foster a growth mindset, and align teams, the transformation risks being superficial or short-lived. In fact, research from firms like The RBL Group and others show that transformations fail nearly 70% of the time to deliver their intended outcomes, without significant and persistent care.

The same applies to individuals. A new role, certification, or major accomplishment might feel like a transformative moment, but it’s the commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement that ensures this moment becomes a meaningful milestone rather than a fleeting success.

Development: The Lifelong Journey

If transformation is the event, development is the journey. It’s about consistency, iteration, and resilience. Unlike the dramatic nature of transformation, development happens in the day-to-day:

? A team learning to collaborate better over time, despite challenges.

? An organization refining its culture to embrace critical leader expectations, with anchored behaviors in action applied daily.

? An individual embracing feedback, building new skills, and growing into their potential.

Development is ongoing and cumulative. It builds the foundation for transformations to be successful and sustainable. Without development, even the most well-executed transformation risks becoming a momentary spike rather than a long-term upward trajectory.

The Intersection: Where Magic Happens

At Novartis, we’ve seen that the most impactful growth happens when transformation and development intersect. Transformation creates the spark, and development ensures the fire keeps burning. This requires a deliberate focus on both:

1. For Individuals: Encourage not just skills acquisition but the ongoing practice of adaptability, curiosity, and self-awareness. These are the hallmarks of personal development.

2. For Teams: Facilitate ongoing dialogue within and across teams, foster trust, and embrace agility. Teams that develop together are better equipped to navigate transformative moments.

3. For Organizations: Invest in a culture of continuous improvement, where employees feel empowered to experiment, learn, and grow. Organizations that embrace adaptability versus headlines, win consistently.

A Call to Action

Admittedly, I didn't love our name change at first as we white-boarded, debated and shortlisted our options. But the more I thought about it, and (more importantly) listened to others, I could see the power in the simplicity of the message. Signaling to our biggest stakeholders our commitment to do the BIG stuff and the slow and steady stuff that strengthen our roots for success.

Whether you’re leading a team, driving organizational strategy, or reflecting on your own journey, ask yourself this: Are you focusing only on transformation, or are you creating the conditions for development to thrive?

Transformation is inspiring, but development is where the magic truly happens. Let’s honor the big moments, but let’s also celebrate the quiet, steady progress that ensures those moments lead to meaningful, lasting change.

What does development (or transformation) look like for you, your team, or your organization? Is one valued by the C-Suite more than the other? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

#Leadership #GrowthMindset #Transformation #Development #ContinuousLearning #HRTransformation #HR #HRStrategy