Balancing act: Maintaining high performance while driving change

In a conversation yesterday with a colleague from an organisation undergoing transformational change, I shared a phrase I use when supporting leaders at this critical juncture – something I call 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦.

In organisations that are transforming, leaders must balance the demands of maintaining high performance in their current roles while at the same time drive meaningful strategic change for the future.

The balancing act of performing while transforming / innovating presents several key challenges for leaders:

🎯 They are often pulled in multiple directions. They must meet immediate business goals while also dedicating time and energy to long-term innovation. This tension can lead to burnout or a tendency to prioritise short-term wins over strategic transformation.

💼 Teams may resist change, especially if the  culture is deeply rooted in traditional methods. Motivating and engaging teams, all while delivering day-to-day excellence, requires exceptional emotional intelligence and people management skills.

⚖️ Innovation often brings uncertainty and disruption. Leaders must ensure that business operations remain stable and productive, despite the potential volatility that transformation can create.

⏳Transformational efforts require resources: time, talent, capital….that may already be stretched thin by current performance demands. Allocating resources to both ‘business as usual’ and innovation can be a delicate balancing act.

🧠 Leaders are tasked with navigating complex, sometimes contradictory demands, which can lead to decision fatigue. The pressure to make sound decisions in both performance and transformation contexts can strain cognitive and emotional resources.

🌱 It can be difficult to drive a culture of innovation when the organisation’s culture is anchored in performance-based metrics. Shifting mindsets while maintaining operational excellence requires strong leadership and clear vision.

📈 There is often pressure from stakeholders to deliver quick results, which can stifle long-term innovation efforts. Leaders must continuously balance these short-term performance pressures with the need for long-term growth and transformation.

Executive coaching can help leaders navigate these challenges, providing them with the space to reflect, adapt and build the resilience they need to lead effectively through periods of change.

❓Does any of the above resonate? What strategies have helped you successfully innovate and transform while continuing to perform at a high level?

Curious about how to balance performing while transforming your team or company? I’d love to connect.

V