Leadership and Talent Challenges for Madison Avenue’s Makeover

Transformations are tough.  They put organizations between the proverbial “rock and hard place.”  The executives in place have not been successful in managing long-term declines -- yet, they need to be mobilized to “do something completely different,” whether or not they have the understanding for it or the requisite skills.  Senior executive leaders are challenged by transformations, which require bold and unwavering leadership, but since this kind of leadership has been lacking (which is why transformations are required in the first place) existing leaders may not bring enough commitment and conviction to overcome their organizations’ doubts and resistance.