Are your transformation efforts stalling? Did they never even get off the ground in the first place?
Thinking of pulling the rug and moving in a bold, new direction that will create results fast?
Before you pull the trigger, take a moment to hear about the story of the San Antonio Spurs – basketball’s model of a winning dynasty.
A bit of history
From 1999 – 2017, San Antonio won five championships and over 70% of its regular-season games, an NBA record over that time span. Simply put, they are one of the greatest teams to exist in basketball.
How did they do it? (and how can your business follow?)
Know your fundamentals
Known as the ‘Beautiful Game Spurs’, San Antonio played in a system that rewarded good basketball above individual star power. Each teammate played to their strengths, allowing them to hide their weaknesses and dominate the league.
When embarking on a transformation, you must know your business’ fundamentals. What are your core advantages? Why are you even in the market? What do you do that brings real value? Then design your op-model to enhance these fundamentals, not change them. Shine a light on your strengths and make it easy for your teams to play into them. Get this right, and your teams won’t just be willing to make the change, they’ll want to.
Maintain a steady ship
Their star player and head coach were core pieces of the team for all five championships over 15 years, an almost unheard-of feat in the sports world. Their presence and leadership kept that winning culture ingrained in the franchise’s character.
At Lancia Consult, we often see transformations falter because a team that wasn’t considered early enough simply hadn’t developed the cadence and connection to deliver when it mattered most. Embedding delivery experts who are empowered to lead can make all the difference. With clearly defined roles, ways of working, and consistent leadership, these teams can be set up as a well-oiled machine capable of weathering a storm.
Develop your future leaders
Gregg Popovich didn’t build a team; he built a system. He spent his 29 seasons as head coach moulding the assistants around him, building them into world-class coaches because he knew that was the best way to help the team. His legacy produced future Hall of Fame coaching careers such as Steve Kerr’s and Mike Budenholzer’s.
Transformations often get boiled down to what’s happening in the moment, forgetting that their core purpose is to set a business up for the future. Take care to develop your teams and build their delivery capability effectively. Strategic transformations can be likened to a furnace – shape your team correctly, and they will be unbreakable; build the wrong habits, and they will last forever. Sustainable transformation success is only possible when your team can pick up the slack when needed and has the maturity to deliver.
Tweak the edges, not the core
Avoid the temptation to make a big swing. From the early 2000s to mid-2010s, the NBA changed vastly. San Antonio’s silver bullet was making the right adjustments. They maintained their fundamentals but adapted where necessary – bringing in role players like Danny Green who could complement the new style without upending the foundation.
Consider this scenario: Perhaps you have always approached projects in an Agile manner, prioritising the product above all. Recently, however, costs have spiraled, delivery is inconsistent, and the team isn’t meeting targets. It might be appealing to implement rigid governance, stage-gating, and a new project team to get things back on track, but don’t overcorrect. What’s really needed are strategic tweaks. The pieces needed for success are often all there, but their contribution is yet to be optimised. Think about how frequently clear roles and realignment can level up a team’s output, without needing an overhaul.
Ultimately, change is inevitable. But next time you’re thinking of pulling the rug, maybe the bold move isn’t a complete transformation, but it’s making those small adjustments first.
When facing Shaquille O’Neale, Tim Duncan didn’t go for the flashy dunk… he mastered the pivot.
Whether you're just starting or refining your transformation journey, our team of experts is here to help. Contact us to speak with a transformation specialist today.
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