What is needed to begin a transformation?

Exploring the necessary preconditions for leaders to start transforming an org

What are the necessary, enabling conditions for a leader to start down the path of transforming their company? After a terrific mindmeld with fellow product leadership coach Petra Wille, I see three things:

(1) Urgency: there must be a compelling reason to transform.

(2) Possibility: transformation must occur as possible.

(3) Support: transformation requires buy-in and help.

Usually these three look like pain, case studies, and a coalition of support.

(Context: in parallel with some of the transformation advisory/consulting work I’m currently doing, I’m thinking and researching a lot on the topic of transformation, especially companies that want to become strong product companies.)