── ── Cognitive bias
Kotter's 8-Step Change Model
John Kotter built this model from studying one hundred corporate transformations — most failed. Core finding: failures stem from eight predictable leadership errors, each defeated by one of the eight steps. Skipping steps creates only the illusion of speed. The 2014 Accelerate update introduced a Dual Operating System for parallel execution in high-velocity environments.
How it works
Pre-diagnostic — score eight failure modes (1–5):
· Failure mode · Risk · · --- · --- · · Complacency / no urgency felt · /5 · · Weak coalition — key influencers uncommitted · /5 · · Absent or unclear vision · /5 · · Under-communication · /5 · · Obstacles not removed · /5 · · No short-term wins · /5 · · Premature victory declared · /5 · · Not anchored in culture · /5 ·
Scores 4–5 require pre-treatment before the corresponding step.
When to use it
- user says 'our change initiative is stalling', 'people aren't adopting the new way', 'we launched the transformation but nothing changed', 'how do we overcome resistance to change', 'why do transformation efforts fail', or asks how to sequence or diagnose a planned organizational change
When not to use it
When the decision is routine and reversible, applying a formal method costs more than it returns.
Worked example
IBM's Turnaround under Lou Gerstner (1993–1996)
In 1993, IBM reported a net loss of $8 billion — the largest in US corporate history at the time. The company had missed the shift from mainframes to distributed computing. Multiple analysts recommended breaking IBM into separate units. Lou Gerstner was appointed CEO from outside the technology industry — the first outsider in IBM's history.
Install this skill (free, MIT)
npx skills add deciqAI/knowledge-skills