Leadership at the limit: When transformation becomes a constant burden
Transformation without an end date: Why strategic clarity is more important than perfect plans
Transformation is no longer an exceptional situation. It is the norm. In the latest episode of "Hope is not a strategy," Christian Underwood and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Weigand discuss why many organizations are struggling with this very issue—and why the real problem is not too much change, but a lack of strategic clarity.
When change becomes a continuous loop
Digital transformation, structural change, new business models, new managers—no sooner has one change process begun than the next one starts. For many employees, this creates a feeling of never arriving. Transformation is no longer perceived as a targeted movement, but as an endless series of initiatives. The result: lethargy, resistance, and inner resignation. Prof. Dr. Jürgen Weigand classifies this phenomenon: the stability that companies have long been able to rely on no longer exists. Markets, technologies, and geopolitical conditions are changing too quickly. What provided security yesterday can become a risk tomorrow. Transformation is therefore not a project – it is a state of being.
Strategy is direction, not planning
A key point in the episode is the clear distinction between strategy and planning. Planning describes concrete steps and measures. Strategy, on the other hand, answers a different, more fundamental question: Where do we want to go? Many organizations get lost in planning without being clear about their strategic direction. But without direction, every adjustment becomes mere actionism. Prof. Dr. Jürgen Weigand uses a simple image: whether it's an airplane, a ship, or a car—the route may change, but the destination does not. That is precisely the task of strategy.
Acting under uncertainty
Another key issue is how to deal with risk in times of genuine uncertainty. Traditional risk logic is based on probabilities and historical data. But transformation cannot be statistically guaranteed. Every major change is unique. Instead of relying on supposed certainty, Christian Underwood and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Weigand advocate scenario planning: thinking about possible futures, allowing for extreme developments, and thinking backwards from the possible end. Not to predict the future, but to remain capable of acting.
Letting go without destroying what already exists
Transformation often fails not because of the new, but because of the old. Security comes from routines, structures, and familiar decision-making principles. Anyone who wants to create something new must be prepared to question precisely these certainties. This creates fear – both individually and organizationally. At the same time, the two warn against radical breaks without an economic foundation. In practice, this often means a dual transformation: efficiently stabilizing what already exists while developing new approaches in parallel. Two logics, two speeds, one company – an enormous leadership challenge.
Clarity as strategic currency
The role of clarity is particularly evident. Many companies do not know what really makes them money, which customers are profitable, or which products remain strategically relevant. Decisions are made based on gut feeling, with political interests overshadowing practical logic. Without clarity, transformation becomes a blind flight. Only when there is transparency regarding profitability, relevance, and focus can decisions be made that are sustainable—even if they are uncomfortable. Despite all the dynamism, Christian Underwood and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Weigand make one thing clear: people need orientation, intermediate goals, and phases of stabilization. Constant movement without arrival robs energy. Strategy must therefore not only provide direction, but also create islands of security—a home port that gives meaning.
For whom this episode is particularly relevant
This episode is aimed at entrepreneurs, board members, and executives who no longer want to treat transformation as a buzzword, and at all decision-makers who feel that hope, actionism, and perseverance are no substitute for strategy. 🎧 Listen now and understand why strategic clarity is the decisive lever in times of permanent transformation.
SHOWNOTES
Christian Underwood https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianunderwood/
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Weigand https://www.linkedin.com/in/j%C3%BCrgen-weigand/
StrategySummit 2026 https://www.strategyframe.ai/strategysummit2026
All links https://linktr.ee/strategyframe