Creating a Diverse Coalition for Lasting Organizational Change

A diverse team of leaders.

Successful organizational change doesn’t happen by accident—it begins with assembling the right team. In faith-based communities, such as churches, this process is uniquely powerful. Many individuals come seeking meaning, and when their passion and commitment are ignited, they can become catalysts for transformation (Collins, 2005).

The Power of a Guiding Coalition

Change requires more than a single visionary leader. It demands a coalition—a group of committed individuals who bring diverse perspectives, skills, and influence. These coalitions are most effective when they include supervisors, managers, and other key stakeholders who share the organization’s mission and values.

Carruthers (2022) emphasizes that a team’s culture—its attitudes, values, goals, and working methods—is foundational to its success. In my dissertation, Likert-style survey with 222 submissions, 61% of participants rated the importance of team culture as 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale, underscoring its critical role in driving change.

Lessons from Thriving Congregations

A serene white church emerges gracefully from a sea of green and autumn-hued trees, creating a picturesque and tranquil scene.

Thriving congregations demonstrate how diverse coalitions can lead to meaningful and sustainable change. Here are some specific actions they took:

• Inclusive Decision-Making: “We included a wide array of congregational members in the process to give them ownership of each decision from the very beginning.” – Participant #186, Charismatic Leader

• Strategic Expertise: “We created a diverse group of individuals with specific experience and insight into setting up a virtual platform.” – Participant #182, Authoritative Leader

• Generational Diversity: “The coalition had diverse generational perspectives, some who had been a part of the organization for a long time and some who were new. It also included people with experience guiding a congregation through change and some who had no idea what it would include.” – Participant #206, Servant Leader

Challenges Faced by Languishing Congregations

Not all coalitions succeed. In some cases, change efforts exposed toxic dynamics:

• “This change ended up breaking down a poisoned coalition. Only a few people stuck through the change. A new team stepped up to help pave a new path with the two who stayed.” – Participant #180, Servant Leader

This highlights the importance of building coalitions rooted in trust, shared values, and a clear mission.

Recommendations for Building Effective Coalitions

To foster lasting change, organizations should:

• Establish Clear Shared Values: A unified mission helps align efforts and build trust (Satell & Windschitl, 2021).

• Engage Key Stakeholders: Influencers and decision-makers must be involved from the start.

• Cultivate Team Culture: A strong culture supports collaboration, resilience, and innovation.

• Empower Transformational Leaders: These leaders are best equipped to sustain change through strategic authority, credibility, and influence.