The Inward Gaze - Why this makes Transformation Different (and sometimes uncomfortable)
Transformation is uniquely inward-facing, and why that makes it not only more difficult—but also more meaningful and high-impact.
Development Looks Outward
Focus: The market, competitors, customers.
Mindset: “Where can we win?”
Blame Game: If growth stalls, it’s easy to say, “The market shifted,” or “Customers didn’t respond.”
Development is about external opportunity capture—it’s performance-driven, not introspective. It’s also deeply, deeply attached to the current reality and the present.
Innovation Looks Forward
Focus: The future, trends, possibilities.
Mindset: “What could be?”
Blame Game: If it fails, it’s often chalked up to timing, tech immaturity, or market readiness.
Innovation is about imagination—it’s visionary, and often necessarily detached from current reality.
Transformation Looks Inward
Focus: The current self—structures, culture, systems, leadership, mindset.
Mindset: “What’s not working? What must change?”
Blame Game: There isn’t one. If it fails, the mirror points inward.
Transformation is about internal truth-telling—it requires honesty, humility, and courage.
Why This Makes Transformation So Powerful (and Uncomfortable)
It surfaces the real blockers to growth.
Not just “we need more leads,” but “our sales process is broken.”
Not just “we need better marketing,” but “our value proposition is unclear.”
It demands leadership maturity.
Leaders must be willing to question their own decisions, habits, and structures.
It’s not about fixing others—it’s about fixing the system they created.
It builds resilience, not just results.
Transformation strengthens the core muscles of the business—adaptability, alignment, and agility.
It’s not just about doing more—it’s about doing better, smarter, and more intentionally.