Projects do not fail because they are too complex. They fail because the leadership to back them is missing. Delivering successful projects and digital transformations is achievable—but only with a leader who has the conviction to understand the process, the determination to clear obstacles, and the courage to stand firmly behind the team.
In reality, these leaders are often absent. Many are consumed by firefighting, buried in competing priorities, or hesitant to step into unfamiliar territory. So often the Project Sponsors are chosen not for their capability but simply for their availability. Too often, project boards and steering committees are filled by job title rather than by genuine ability to lead.
And while the stakes are high, there is still little appetite to prepare executives for this role—no real effort to build the skills or mindset needed to guide transformation.
The truth is simple: projects don’t collapse under their own weight—they collapse under the absence of leaders willing to carry them forward.
