The Blind Spots That Cost Transformation Leaders Their Future

Every October, I watch the same story unfold.

2026 plans meetings. Performance reviews. “Strategic realignment discussions”

Programs that looked strong in September suddenly become “non-essential”

Leaders who were once praised for “driving transformation” become “available for new opportunities”

The October Purge doesn’t happen because leaders technically fail.

It happens because they get blindsided.

Performance Doesn’t Speak for Itself

We love to believe that good delivery tells its own story.

It rarely does.

Inside boardrooms, perception moves faster than performance.

Decisions are made on impressions, not metrics ... a hallway comment here, a frustrated sponsor there, a moment of hesitation that becomes a label.

I’ve seen brilliant transformation leaders lose traction not because their work was weak, but because their narrative was.

They fixed the issue in Week 6. Sponsors trusted the fix in Week 16.

And the budget call came in Week 8.

That’s the dangerous gap between “problem solved” and “confidence restored”

It’s where programs quietly die, and capable leaders find themselves frantically updating their CV and LinkedIn profile.

Sponsors Don’t See What You See

Transformation leaders live the details daily.

Sponsors only see tone, tension, and energy, not task trackers.

By the time you sense their confidence slipping, their perception has already hardened.

And the conversation behind closed doors often sounds like this:

“The Johnson transformation feels slow again”

“Sarah’s stakeholders seem frustrated”

“Maybe we need someone new next quarter”

Notice what’s missing? Data. Facts. Context.

Reality doesn’t make it into the meeting unless you put it there.

Reputation Doesn’t Repair Itself

The best transformation leaders don’t leave their story to chance.

They know perception must be managed deliberately.

They build quiet systems to sense trust erosion before it’s visible.

They seed small wins into the story ahead of time.

They make perception part of their recovery plan, nnot an afterthought.

Because once “next year’s priorities” are on the table, it’s already too late to change the narrative.

The Pattern Is Predictable

Every October, organisations consolidate spend, reset portfolios, and reassert control.

This isn’t a surprise. It’s a system.

And in that system, strong programs fail not because they technically misbehaved, but because their leaders didn’t see the storm coming soon enough.

That’s how I stay close to the real work.

I’ve been brought in to rescue programs led by exceptional, accomplished leaders ... people who “shouldn’t” have got to that point.

What I’ve learned is this: even the best can miss what’s right in front of them.

That’s where I come in ... spotting blind spots early, rebuilding alignment, and turning programs around quickly before the damage becomes visible.

It’s not theory. It’s practice, lived in the trenches of real transformation.

The Real Work of October

In transformation, performance earns you respect ... but perception determines your survival.

Every leader right now is sitting on one of three lists:

• The Expansion List (grow and promote)

• The Maintenance List (monitor and fund), or ...

• The Review List (cut and replace)

The difference between them isn’t only the results. It’s narrative intelligence.

So before your next “strategic realignment” meeting, ask yourself:

What version of your story is circulating right now, and who’s telling it for you?

If This Resonates ... Then Maybe Now Is The Right Time to Work on It

If you’re leading transformation and want to spot the warning signs early, before they cost you progress, confidence, or credibility, join me for the OnTrack Guide™ Masterclass.

We’ll identify your program’s blind spots, reset your approach, and install the system that helps you stay in control when the noise gets louder.

🎯 Inside the session:

• AI-Powered Blind Spot Coach: Get a real-time diagnostic of what’s derailing your program

• The OnTrack System™ : A simple structure to regain control and re-establish alignment fast

• Lifetime access to the reply and tools

• Bonus: 7-day pass access to the MindShift membership program

👉 Secure your spot here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u8OC_hQeziV8DWjzxXgx7AnpSbfjiE9heDJs6XKQa8E/edit?usp=sharing

PS. For corporate teams, if you need to turn your transformation around, assess its health, identify blind spots, and bring it back on track, I can help. Let’s have a confidential chat if this resonates.

Till next time,

Jess Tayel

Founder of the Transformation Leadership Institute and People of Transformation membership & community.

Enable organisations to become future-fit through their Transformations & Change efforts.

Elevate Change & Transformation high-performing leaders to soar above the sea of sameness and achieve new heights in mastery, influence, & impact without the drag of going solo or slow progression.

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