Change Sponsors Must Have Gravitas

Successful organisational change is never an accident; it is the result of strong leadership, clear direction, and consistent sponsorship. Among these, the role of the change sponsor is paramount. Without a sponsor who possesses gravitas, change efforts risk being dismissed as optional, poorly prioritised, or simply “the initiative of the month" or "happy chappy talk."

Change sponsors should be senior executives who have the gravitas, positional authority, and influence to intervene with the senior leadership team.

Gravitas Beyond Position

Change sponsors should be senior executives who have the gravitas, positional authority, and influence to intervene with the senior leadership team. Gravitas in this context is not about rank or title alone—it is about the sponsor’s ability to command respect, instil confidence, and mobilise others through both their formal position and their personal qualities. Specifically, gravitas for a change sponsor means:

• Authority and Influence.

  – The sponsor isn’t a symbolic figurehead but someone whose decisions carry organisational weight.

  – They can make tough calls, allocate resources, and hold leaders accountable.

• Credibility and Trustworthiness.

  – People believe what the sponsor says because of their track record and perceived integrity.

  – Their words and actions are consistent, which reinforces trust during uncertain times.

• Personal Presence.

  – Beyond technical skills, the sponsor has the ability to project confidence, seriousness, and purpose.

  – In meetings, speeches, or casual interactions, they “hold the room” and convey that the change matters.

Authority Like a Judge

A change sponsor must also possess clear authority, much like a judge in a law court. A judge’s rulings are respected not simply because of personal opinion, but because they represent the rule of law—backed by institutional power and responsibility. In the same way, a sponsor’s authority ensures that the change initiative is not optional or negotiable, but a mandated organisational direction. Employees and leaders alike need to understand that the sponsor’s decisions carry the weight of final judgement, ensuring clarity, compliance, and consistency. Without this authority, the change risks being reduced to a suggestion rather than a decisive course of action.

The Critical Sponsorship Factor

Research and practice repeatedly show that effective and proactive sponsorship is the single most important factor in change success. As the senior leader sponsoring the change or transformation, their actions and commitment can make or break the initiative. However, all too often, sponsors inadvertently undermine their own efforts by succumbing to detrimental behaviours—normalising deviance, tolerating resistance, or signalling inconsistency. These actions breed cynicism and compromise the achievement of intended benefits.

Sponsorship Responsibilities

Without a proactive and effective change sponsor, most change programmes or initiatives will fail to achieve their targeted objectives. A sponsor, like a judge in the courtroom, must embody both gravitas and authority to ensure their direction is recognised as decisive.

This book outlines the three critical sponsorship responsibilities to successfully implement change:

• Say – articulating and communicating the change vision with clarity and conviction.

• Support – providing the resources, authority, and visible commitment to demonstrate the organisation is serious.

• Sustain – intervening to hold leaders accountable and embedding the change into culture and practice.

When a sponsor fulfils these responsibilities with authority and presence, the change is seen as mandatory, consistent, and enduring—rather than a passing initiative.

Summary

Change sponsors who demonstrate gravitas bring weight, credibility, and decisive authority to change programmes. They act with the presence of a judge, the conviction of a leader, and the consistency of an organisational role model. Without gravitas, sponsorship risks becoming a formality; with it, change becomes a mandate. Gravitas is therefore not optional—it is the very essence of sponsorship that leads to successful, sustainable transformation.

Sponsorship is the single most important factor in change success.

#LeadershipofChange #Leadership #ChangeLeadership #GlobalGurus #ChangeManagement

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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

Leadership of Change®

Change Management Body of Knowledge (CMBoK) Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, A, B, C, D & E

• Change Management Fables – Volume 1 

• Change Management Pocket Guide – Volume 2 

• Change Management Handbook – Volume 3 

• Change Management Leadership – Volume 4 

• Change Management Adoption – Volume 5 

• Change Management Behaviour – Volume 6

• Change Management Sponsorship – Volume 7 

• Change Management Charade – Volume 8

• Change Management Insanity – Volume 9

• Change Management Dilettante – Volume 10

• Change Management Gamification Leadership – Volume A 

• Change Management Gamification Adoption – Volume B 

• Change Management Gamification Behaviour – Volume C 

• Change Management Gamification Sponsorship – Volume D 

• Change Management Gamification Leadership Teams – Volume E 

Contact me to make a booking 

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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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