The Elephant in the Boardroom

Unveiling Why Your Organisation Resists

the Change You Champion

…And the Hard Truth No Executive Wants to Face

ADVISORY ARTICLE

By Pablo Fraile Iglesias

Spain

Abstract

In today’s fast-paced business world, there’s a paradox affecting most leaders: while they perceive themselves as catalysts for change, their actions often slow down the transformations they wish to drive. “The Elephant in the Boardroom” reveals this uncomfortable truth and offers a revolutionary perspective on why organisations don’t respond to desired change. Discover how leaders’ behaviours, not their words, create the experiences that truly drive or inhibit organisational change. This article unravels the Pyramid of Opportunities in transformation, exposing the four critical levels where invisible obstacles originate. Drawing on real-world cases, it demonstrates how external coaching provides the objective insight leaders need to overcome invisible barriers and accelerate sustainable change. Essential reading for leaders who aspire to generate real and sustainable impact in their organisations.

1 Introduction

In today’s business landscape, where change is the only constant, mastery in organisational transformation has become the decisive factor separating companies that thrive from those that succumb to obsolescence. Leaders face invisible barriers that compromise their ability to catalyse deep and sustainable transformations.

When we ask leaders if they consider themselves catalysts (accelerators) of change in their organisations or inhibitors (obstacles) of change, the response is unanimous, all leaders proclaim themselves as catalysts of change in their organisations. However, observation of reality tells us, that even with the best intentions, many leaders are slowing down the change they wish to accelerate.

Figure 1 Inhibitor – Catalyst scale
© Pablo Fraile Iglesias

How can this be? What’s happening? How can these leaders become accelerators, not brakes, of the change they desire?

2 How is change driven?

As a transformation consultant, a common frustration I hear from clients is: ‘I keep telling my team to be more innovative (or more autonomous, or…), but nothing changes. Why aren’t they listening? What else can I do?’”

However, as we’ll see, the key to driving change lies not in words, but in actions.

Experience 1: When actions undermine words

Imagine this scenario: A company hires you to bring fresh, innovative ideas to their call centre operations. Despite having no prior experience in this field, your future manager was impressed by the creative suggestions you shared during your interview. However, after joining the organisation, you discover a different reality. Your innovative proposals meet resistance and ultimately go nowhere. A few months later, you’re terminated.

More…

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How to cite this work: Fraile Iglesias, P (2025). The Elephant in the Boardroom: Unveiling Why Your Organisation Resists the Change You Champion …And the Hard Truth No Executive Wants to Face, advisory, PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue VI, June. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pmwj153-Jun2025-Fraile-Iglesias-The-Elephant-in-the-Boardroom-advisory.pdf

About the Author

Pablo Fraile Iglesias

Spain

Pablo Fraile helps people in leadership positions accelerate transformation in their organisations while increasing well-being.

His mission is to empower leaders and organisations to reach new levels of excellence, promoting innovation, collaboration, and well-being, in order to achieve exceptional results and build a more sustainable future.

As a recognised expert in transformational leadership, he delivers high-impact talks and workshops that challenge conventional thinking and illuminate the differences between ordinary managers and extraordinary leaders.

With over 25 years of international experience, Pablo is recognised for his unique ability to identify leaders’ blind spots and design tailored interventions that turn obstacles into opportunities and leaders into change catalysts.

Pablo Fraile Iglesias

I help senior leaders accelerate the transformation of their organisations while increasing well-being