Jess Tayel DrFounder, Transformation Leadership Institute · ● Change & Transformation Leaders Mentor ● C-Suite Coach & Advisor ● Senior Executive

Real Talk What I’m Not Okay With

16 Apr 2025 · 3 min

Watch on YouTube

2:50

In this monologue, the speaker outlines five core frustrations with the current state of transformational leadership and change work. First, they condemn the pervasive mediocrity that accompanies large budgets and ambitious goals, arguing that leaders must demand higher standards. Second, they criticize shallow solution design that merely checks boxes without addressing underlying challenges, emphasizing the need for depth. Third, they highlight the tendency to treat people as an afterthought, insisting that individuals must be placed at the center of transformation efforts. Fourth, they point out an overemphasis on delivery, urging a focus on the purpose, reception, and impact of what is delivered. Fifth, they warn against excessive reliance on tools and frameworks as cure‑alls, noting that tools are only effective when wielded with intention and understanding. The speaker then contrasts this with the Transformation Leadership Institute’s approach, which rejects mediocrity, pursues deep, people‑centric solutions, values real impact, and treats tools as one component of a broader, intentional practice.

Chapters

Let's continue the real talk about transformational leadership, specifically about what I am not okay with in this space. I'm not okay with the mediocrity that often exists in the field of change and transformation. We see big budgets, ambitious goals, and yet the work produced is mediocre, missing the mark, lacking the impact it could truly have. I believe that we as leaders need to expect more of ourselves and those around us. I'm also not okay with the lack of depth when designing solutions. Too often, the approach is to tick the boxes, to create something that looks good on paper but doesn't dig deep enough to address real challenges. True transformation requires depth. It requires getting to the core of the issues and designing solutions that are meaningful and lasting. Another thing I'm not okay with is not taking people seriously. People are the essence of transformation, yet many programs treat people as an afterthought, focusing on processes and systems without understanding the human impact. We need to start seeing people as the center of everything we do, and more than just a couple of documents that capture their journey or thoughts. And then there's the overemphasis on delivery. Delivery is important, but it's not the only thing that matters. We need to look beyond just getting things done and think about what we are delivering, why it matters, and how it's being received by those involved. Lastly, I'm not okay with the excessive reliance on tools and frameworks as if they are the magic wand that will solve all problems. Tools and frameworks are useful, but they are just that— tools. They're only as effective as the people using them, the intention behind their use, and the depth of understanding that accompanies them. We cannot rely on them alone and expect miracles. At the Transformation Leadership Institute, we do things differently. We reject mediocrity. We go deep. We put people at the heart. We focus on real impacts, and we understand that tools are only one part of the bigger picture. Transformation is about creating something meaningful, and that's what we stand for.