Leading Organizational Change: Insights from the ASBS Webinar

Leading Organizational Change: Insights from the ASBS Webinar

On 30 October 2025, the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) hosted the third edition of its Academy Synergy Building Sessions (ASBS) webinar. Held virtually via Zoom, the session brought together distinguished scientists, policymakers, academy staff, and early-career researchers to explore how leaders can successfully navigate and sustain organizational change in today’s complex environment.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Jack Omondi, NASAC’s Programme Manager, introduced the theme “Leading Organizational Change” and the facilitator, Mr. Clement Kitetu, a certified Project Management Professional with over 20 years of experience in leadership, strategy, and organizational transformation. The webinar was structured around key reflections on understanding organizational change, leading change, and sustaining progress in institutions such as academies of science.

Setting the Scene: Understanding Organizational Change

Mr. Kitetu began by reflecting on the accelerated pace of disruption in the post-COVID era. He explained that organizations now operate in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world, where leaders must not only anticipate change but also shape it. True transformation, he emphasized, starts with individual leaders who model adaptability, curiosity, and resilience. He introduced the idea of self-disruption as a constructive alternative to self-cannibalization, encouraging organizations to rethink and reinvent themselves before external pressures force them to. To illustrate this, he shared a short video featuring African health leaders advocating for integrated, outcome-driven aid systems, an example of how shifting perspectives can drive meaningful change.

Leading the Change: Strategies and Tools for Academy Staff

The conversation then turned to the realities of operating in hyper-competitive markets as leaders respond to various changes. Mr. Kitetu underscored the importance of strategic adaptation, the ability to realign goals and strategies as the environment evolves. He discussed how long-term commitment, shared accountability, and collaboration are critical for institutional resilience. Participants agreed that adaptability should not mean abandoning core values, but rather leveraging partnerships and collective intelligence to remain relevant.

Drawing lessons from industries such as telecommunications and automotive manufacturing, Mr. Kitetu encouraged organizations to embrace innovation and design thinking. He urged leaders to adopt what he called a “fireman’s mentality”, being alert, responsive, and proactive in addressing emerging challenges. This mindset, he noted, ensures that innovation leads not just to invention but to meaningful adoption and institutional learning.

The discussion also explored how science academies can adapt collectively to 21st-century challenges. Mr. Kitetu emphasized the importance of redefining institutional objectives and pursuing cross-academy collaboration to address shared issues such as limited funding and capacity constraints. Additionally, He introduced the concept of an Agile Leadership Immersion Program, urging academy leaders to shift from rigid, top-down structures toward more adaptive and collaborative management. He explained that agile leadership thrives on psychological safety, open communication, and empowerment, enabling teams to own the change processes.

A thought-provoking exchange followed, with Ms. Jackie Kado, the Executive Director of NASAC, asking how leaders can balance authority and followership. Mr. Kitetu responded that modern leaders act more as shepherds than commanders, guiding and enabling rather than controlling, so that teams can take initiative while staying aligned with the organization’s mission.

Sustaining Organizational Change

Sustaining change, Mr. Kitetu emphasized, requires a shift in focus from individual performance to enterprise-wide transformation. He introduced the use of Key Performance Questions (KPQs) alongside Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to guide meaningful evaluation and learning. He further highlighted the importance of cross-functional collaboration, knowledge management, and locally-led initiatives as essential ingredients for sustainable transformation.

The session also addressed the need for effective partnerships. Participants raised questions on how to sustain collaboration and manage different forms of organizational change. Mr. Kitetu noted that tools such as team charters, responsibility matrices, and continuous learning programs are vital to maintaining shared goals and accountability. He emphasized that successful collaboration depends on trust, competence, and commitment, values that align with the mission of science academies across Africa.

Conclusion

The ASBS webinar on Leading Organizational Change reaffirmed that successful transformation is driven by adaptable leadership, purposeful collaboration, and a culture of continuous innovation. For academies of science, these principles are not only organizational strategies but also pathways to greater relevance, impact, and resilience in a changing world. The next ASBS webinar will take place in the first quarter of 2026, with the exact date to be confirmed in January 2026.