Stop Trying To Force Quick Change
Why Great Leaders Play The Long Game
There's a moment every leader faces when they realize a hard truth: The changes their organization desperately needs won't happen overnight. In fact, they might not happen for 18-24 months. It's in this moment that many leaders make a critical choice – they either commit to the long game or resign themselves to the status quo.
The Myth of Quick Change
We live in a world of instant gratification, where we expect immediate results from every action. This mindset has infected our approach to organizational change, leading many leaders to abandon important initiatives when they don't see instant progress.
But meaningful change doesn't work that way. Think of it like erosion – constant, persistent, and ultimately unstoppable, but rarely visible in the moment.
The Three Pillars of Persistent Change
1. Get in the Game
The most common mistake change leaders make is trying to drive transformation from the sidelines. Many leaders fall into the trap of becoming critics rather than participants - they identify problems, make suggestions, and wonder why nothing improves. But true transformation requires more than observation and commentary. You must be willing to step into the arena, take risks, and accept that you might fail publicly. Simply put, you can't coach a game you're not willing to play.
Real change requires getting your hands dirty. This means:
Understanding the current context deeply
Building relationships with stakeholders
Taking responsibility for outcomes
Being willing to fail publicly
2. Embrace the Long View
Transformation requires what Angela Duckworth calls "grit" – the passion and perseverance to stick with long-term goals. This isn't just about patience; it's about maintaining enthusiasm and drive when progress seems invisible. Like water wearing away stone, meaningful change happens through consistent pressure over time. Leaders must develop the mental fortitude to keep pushing forward when others have long since given up.
To build and maintain this level of persistence, this means:
Accepting that significant change takes 18-24 months
Looking for and celebrating small wins
Maintaining energy and focus through setbacks
Building support systems for the long journey
3. Move from "Me" to "We"
Sustainable change can't be a solo mission. While transformation often starts with one person's vision, its success depends on building a movement. The most effective change leaders understand that their role isn't to be the hero who transforms everything single-handedly, but rather to be the catalyst who ignites and nurtures change throughout the organization. This requires a fundamental shift from being the driver to being the enabler.
As you build this collective momentum, your role as a leader is to:
Build coalitions of support
Create shared ownership of the vision
Develop other change champions
Step back when appropriate to let others lead
The Reality Check
Before embarking on any change initiative, ask yourself:
Am I willing to commit for the long haul?
Can I maintain enthusiasm when progress is invisible?
Am I ready to get in the arena rather than criticize from the stands?
Can I accept that some days will feel like running into a wall?
If you answered no to any of these questions, that's okay. Not every battle needs to be fought today. Sometimes wisdom means choosing which changes deserve your full commitment.
The Leadership Choice
At the end of the day, driving organizational change comes down to a simple choice: Are you willing to be the person who shows up every day, maintains the vision, and keeps pushing forward even when progress seems impossible?
Remember: The difference between a failed initiative and a transformative success often isn't strategy – it's persistence.
To your persistent success,
Josh Anderson
Editor-In-Chief
The Leadership Lighthouse
Want to dig deeper into the realities of driving organizational change? Watch my latest discussion where we explore what it really means to be that persistent force of change in your organization.
We share personal stories of both success and failure, and discuss practical strategies for maintaining your determination when progress feels impossible. Plus, you'll hear a fascinating story about how being like water (yes, really!) might be the key to your success.