Ruthless Consistency

Most ambitious plans for organizational change never make it past the good intentions stage. Business research cited by Harvard Business Review puts the failure rate for change projects at 60 to 70 percent, and that figure has barely moved since the 1970s. Michael Canic, a strategy and execution consultant with more than two decades of work with midsize companies, aims to tilt those odds toward leaders who are willing to put in the effort.

The book opens by examining three less obvious causes behind stalled strategic initiatives. It then lays out a straightforward but thorough framework built on three pillars: sharpening focus, shaping the surrounding environment, and assembling the right team. Canic argues that when leaders apply these three elements steadily over time, their organizations tend to succeed.

Each part of the framework is explained in detail, along with practical methods, step-by-step processes, and tools that managers can apply right away. The book is written for executives and managers who want their change efforts to produce lasting results rather than another round of unfinished projects.