John P. Kotter’s article, “Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail,” published in the Harvard Business Review in 1995, discusses the challenges that organizations face when attempting to transform themselves. Kotter, a Harvard Business School professor, argues that transformational change is difficult to achieve because of a lack of understanding of the change process, insufficient leadership, and resistance to change.

The article begins with a discussion of the increasing need for organizations to change and transform themselves in response to changes in the external environment. Kotter notes that while some companies are successful in making these changes, many fail. He identifies eight common mistakes that organizations make when attempting to transform themselves.

The first mistake is a failure to establish a sense of urgency. Kotter argues that many organizations fail to create a sense of urgency among employees, which can lead to complacency and a lack of motivation to change. He suggests that leaders should communicate the need for change in a way that inspires people to take action.

The second mistake is a failure to create a powerful coalition. Kotter argues that transformational change requires the support of a group of influential people within the organization. Without this support, it is difficult to overcome the resistance to change that is often present.

The third mistake is a lack of a clear vision. Kotter suggests that organizations must have a clear and compelling vision of what they want to achieve through the transformation process. This vision should be communicated in a way that inspires and motivates people.

The fourth mistake is a failure to communicate the vision. Kotter argues that the vision must be communicated clearly and consistently throughout the organization. This communication should be ongoing and should involve both formal and informal channels.

The fifth mistake is a lack of empowerment. Kotter suggests that in order for transformational change to be successful, employees must be empowered to take action and make decisions. This requires a shift in power from top-down to bottom-up.

The sixth mistake is a failure to create short-term wins. Kotter argues that in order to maintain momentum and motivation, organizations must achieve short-term wins that demonstrate progress towards the overall vision.

The seventh mistake is a failure to consolidate gains and produce more change. Kotter suggests that organizations must continue to build on their successes and make further changes to achieve the overall vision.

The eighth and final mistake is a failure to anchor new approaches in the organization’s culture. Kotter argues that in order for transformational change to be sustainable, new approaches must be embedded in the organization’s culture.

Kotter concludes the article by emphasizing the importance of leadership in the change process. He suggests that leaders must have a clear understanding of the change process and be able to communicate and inspire others to support the transformation. He also emphasizes the need for leaders to be persistent and resilient in the face of resistance to change.

Overall, Kotter’s article provides valuable insights into the challenges of transformational change and the common mistakes that organizations make. His eight-step process provides a useful framework for organizations to follow when attempting to transform themselves. However, it should be noted that the article was published over 25 years ago, and the business environment has changed significantly since then. Nonetheless, many of the principles and insights that Kotter provides are still relevant today, and organizations can benefit from studying his work.