OrgDev with Distinction Leaders Think They’re Driving Change - So Why Isn’t It Landing with Rupert Brown
May 8, 2026
Rupert Brown, Chief People Officer turned change consultant and author of Lost in Transformation, unpacks why transformations stall in practice. He discusses leadership blind spots, rushed decisions and the emotional side of change. He also covers identity after mergers, the real role of HR and when to pause and reassess.
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He Found Out About The Acquisition On The Radio
- Rupert Brown learned he heard about the P&G acquisition on the radio while driving to a customer, highlighting poor employee notification practices.
- He later faced leadership pressure to 'move on' from discussing change frameworks three years post-merger, exposing disconnect between toolkit and business tempo.
Create Space For Leaders To Process Change
- Be honest about leaders' emotional experience of change and create space to process doubts rather than simply maintaining momentum.
- Change the pace: schedule conversations that respect endings and legacy to deepen engagement and adoption.
Transformation Is Change Plus Plus
- Rupert reframes transformation as 'change plus plus' meaning bigger, often digital-led change that still hits the same human issues as ordinary change.
- He argues labels matter less than understanding the psychological and leadership implications for people experiencing it.
