Change starts at the top and begins on day one: Change is inherently unsettling for people at all levels of an organisation, and when it is on the horizon all eyes will turn to the Chief Executive and the leadership team for strength, support and direction.

Not all institutions agree change should start at the top and this could be the most contentious principle of change – so please give us your view in the comments below. Anecdotally – private sector business leaders and management consultants encourage a ‘follow-the-leader’ approach – believing that leadership must change first to challenge and motivate the rest of the institution – speaking with one voice and “walking the talk” to model desired behaviour. At the same time, individual executive team members (who will be going through their own personal changes) need to be supported so that they can be in agreement with their executive team members. Executive teams that work well together, that are aligned and committed to the direction of change, that understand the culture and behaviours it intends to introduce, and that can model those changes themselves are considered best positioned for success.