A Quick Reset Every Chief Transformation Officer Needs

Before starting the next phase of change, decide what you’re ready to finish.

Author

Glenda Carnate
December 30, 2025

Read time: 2.5 minutes

Most transformations don’t slow down because of a bad plan. They slow down because too many things are left unfinished.

Transformation efforts usually begin with clear goals, strong communication, and real energy. But over time, things can slow down. Meetings increase, decisions go in circles, and teams start to hesitate. It can feel like resistance, even when everyone wants the change to succeed.

Often, the real reason for slow progress is simple. Too many decisions are left open. Temporary fixes never get resolved. Ownership isn’t clear. The direction changes before anything is finished. All this unfinished work leads to confusion, which makes people hesitate.

Key Areas to Resolve Before Advancing Change:

  1. Unresolved decisions reduce momentum.
    When tasks lack clear closure, they continue to occupy attention and slow progress.

  2. Lack of progress often indicates unclear ownership.
    If an initiative remains unchanged for months, it likely lacks a designated decision maker.

  3. Frequent changes create hesitation.
    Teams struggle to progress when direction shifts without resolution.

  4. Consistency fosters trust.
    Definitive conclusions help teams trust that changes will be sustained.

  5. Completion creates capacity.
    Closing open tasks frees attention, energy, and leadership resources.

💡Key Takeaway: 

Transformation accelerates not by adding new programs or frameworks, but when leaders close existing initiatives and provide clarity on completed work. When decisions are finalized and direction is stable, momentum returns. Before initiating the next phase, determine what should be concluded to create space for future progress.

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