Change Management Sponsorship - Responsibility One: Say
- Peter F Gallagher
- Jun 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 22
Say: Communicate the Change
Say is the foundation of change sponsorship; the change sponsor should articulate the strategy, be the face of the change, and communicate constantly

Change Management Sponsorship: Without a proactive and effective change sponsor, most change programmes or initiatives will fail to achieve the targeted objectives. This book outlines the three critical sponsorship responsibilities to successfully implement change; ‘Say’ - communicating the change, ‘Support’ - providing resources and ‘Sustain’ - embedding the change.
About the Book: Sponsorship is the single most important factor in change success, but very few leaders understand why it is so important, who should be the sponsor or what the main responsibilities of a change sponsor include. It is important because without a proactive and effective change sponsor, most change programmes or initiatives will fail to achieve the targeted objectives. The leaders of organisations typically associate the role and traits of a change sponsor with those of a change leader. However, while these leadership traits are important foundations, the role of the sponsor goes beyond the role of a change leader.
"Sponsorship is the single most important factor in change success"
Leadership of Change® Volume 7 is a change management sponsorship book that outlines the three key responsibilities of the change sponsor if they want to achieve the targeted objectives and successfully implement organisational change. This book outlines the three critical change sponsorship responsibilities, structured on the a2B3S© Change Sponsorship Model: ‘Say’, ‘Support’ and ‘Sustain’ to ensure full employee change adoption, and sustainable change that improves overall organisation performance. Change implementation is also supported by the a2B Change Management Framework® (a2BCMF®).
"The three critical sponsorship responsibilities to successfully implement change are; Say: Communicate the change, Support: Provide resources, engage and coach, Sustain: Intervene, reward and embed"
Further Reading: Change Management Sponsorship - Leadership of Change Volume 7
Peter consults, speaks, and writes on the Leadership of Change®.
He works exclusively with boards, CEOs, and senior leadership teams to prepare and align them to effectively and proactively lead their organisations through change and transformation.
For insights on navigating organisational change, feel free to reach out at Peter.gallagher@a2B.consulting or schedule a free consultation
Peter F. Gallagher is a leadership guru, change management global thought leader, organisational change authority, international corporate conference speaker, 15X author, and C-level change leadership coach.
Listed #1 by leadersHum Top 40 Change Management Gurus You Should Follow in 2022 (Mar 2022).
Ranked #1 Change Management Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Change Management (2024-2023-2022-2021-2020) by Thinkers360.
Listed #15 in the “Top 30” for Global Gurus Leadership (2024) by Global Gurus.
Ranked #1 Business Strategy Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Business Strategy (2022) by Thinkers360.
Ranked #6 Leadership Global Thought Leader: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Leadership (April 2024) by Thinkers360.
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