The phrase might sound alarming, but it perfectly describes the challenge of reinventing an organization while still running day-to-day operations. The truth? Most transformation efforts fail—research shows only about 30% succeed. To improve your odds, you need more than strategy and urgency; you need to invest in the people, trust, and skills that make change possible. That’s the essence of how to fly those half-built planes in our evolving world of work.
Change thrives in an environment where people feel safe to take risks. Trust and psychological safety are the runway for innovation. When employees know they won’t be blamed for failures, they’re more willing to test ideas, explore solutions, and adapt quickly.
Leaders can foster this by:
Recognizing and rewarding experimentation
Giving full, undivided attention during conversations
Showing genuine interest in employees as individuals
Strong relationships aren’t a “nice to have”—they’re the structural integrity that keeps the plane in the air during turbulence.
Every business challenge—whether it’s a reorganization, new strategy, or tech adoption—has been faced by someone before. Learning from experience saves time, reduces mistakes, and boosts confidence. Seek advice from:
Colleagues who have navigated similar change
Professional networks and industry peers
Mentors with proven transformation experience
These perspectives act like navigation tools, helping you avoid blind spots and stay on course.
To keep your half-built plane flying—and eventually land it successfully—your team will need new skills. This means both hard skills (like mastering AI tools) and soft skills (like resilience, mindfulness, and self-management).
Consider:
Bringing in external experts for fresh perspectives
Creating peer learning groups for shared problem-solving
Maintaining development programs even in uncertain times
Cutting training might save money today, but it will leave your team unequipped for the next reinvention—and in this economy, there’s always another one coming.
Flying a half-built plane isn’t comfortable, but it’s the reality for modern leaders. By building trust, learning from experience, and developing capabilities, you’ll give your team the confidence and competence to navigate uncertainty. In the end, success in the new world of work isn’t about avoiding turbulence—it’s about having the crew ready to handle it.
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