Call it semantics, but I think there is benefit in distinguishing among change management, continuous improvement, and innovation. By understanding the purpose of each, as well as management’s responsibilities for them, organizations have a richer set of tools for becoming better.

My comments are occasioned by a recent McKinsey & Co. commentary, “Build a change platform, not a change program.” In it, Gary Hamel and Michele Zanini assert that continuous improvement requires change platforms rather than top-down, leader-managed change programs.

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