Foreword ix

Introduction: Excellence Found 1
The past decade of research has proven that the dismal odds of change program success can reliably be beaten.

Part I The Big Idea

Chapter 1 Performance and Health 13
The way to beat the odds is to put equal emphasis on performance and health by using the Five Frames methodology.

Chapter 2 The Science of Change 33
The approach has been developed through the most exhaustive research ever undertaken in the field.

Part II The Five Frames

Chapter 3 Aspire: Where Do We Want to Go? 61
It starts by setting measurable and manageable strategic objectives and commensurate health goals with rigor and precision.

Chapter 4 Assess: How Ready Are We to Go There? 91
Don’t start planning until you’ve considered your organization’s change readiness: what skillset requirements and mindset shifts are needed.

Chapter 5 Architect: What Do We Need to Do to Get There? 117
Now it’s time to create a bankable plan that will build the skills and deliver the outcomes—a plan that also uses four levers to influence mindset and behavior shifts.

Chapter 6 Act: How Do We Manage the Journey? 151
No plan goes according to plan—the right ownership model will enable you to adjust as you go and generate the energy needed for change.

Chapter 7 Advance: How Do We Continue to Improve? 181
You’re not done until an ongoing learning infrastructure is put in place, and leaders are well positioned in the right go-forward roles.

Part III Putting It All Together

Chapter 8 The Senior Leader’s Role: Does Change Have to Start at the Top? 199
Success will be immeasurably easier if the most senior leader embraces the role that only they can play.

Chapter 9 The Change Leader’s Role: What It Takes to Be a Great Change Leader 215
To this point we’ve covered what to “do” to achieve large-scale success; now it’s time to discuss how to “be” as you lead the way.

Chapter 10 Making It Happen: Do You Have What It Takes? 231
You’ve got knowledge, but do you have the courage? It’s over to you to write the next chapter...

Notes 241

About the Author

SCOTT KELLER is a Senior Partner in the Southern California office of McKinsey & Company. He is the co-leader of the firm's global CEO and Board Excellence service line and spends the vast majority of his time serving Fortune 500 CEOs and top teams leading enterprise-wide, multi-year change programs. Scott is the author of multiple books and numerous articles in the field of organizational and leadership effectiveness, hosts multiple round tables, and is a frequent guest lecturer at business schools in Europe and the United States.

BILL SCHANINGER, PHD, is a Senior Partner in the Philadelphia office of McKinsey & Company. Bill works with employers globally as they address the challenges of the ever-changing world of work. He designs and manages large-scale organizational transformations to strengthen business performance through enhanced culture, values, and leadership, and the development of skills and talent systems. In addition to his client work Bill has published extensively in practitioner and academic journals on organizational topics and is a sought-after speaker.

Table of Contents

About the Author