Digital transformation isn’t just about new tools, it’s about changing how teams work. Key lessons I’ve observed: 1. Start with process bottlenecks, not technology 2. Empower cross-functional teams 3. Measure outcomes, not outputs   What has been the most surprising lesson your teams have learned during a transformation?

Big learning was that IT doesn’t understand the business needs, even though we think we do.

Start with an army of the willing - look for people that are ready to change. Otherwise it’s all an uphill battle.

A lot of teams get lost chasing shiny tools without addressing real frictions. In most cases people aren't clear on the why of the transformation, and the rush of adopting methodologies/tools, just increases confusion and resistance to change

I agree that mindset and trust are critical.
Another lesson we’ve seen in the health sector in Oman is that adoption requires continuous reinforcement even after go-live. Without it, usage quickly drops. We also learned that one size doesn’t fit all. Tailoring the change approach to different regions and roles makes a big difference in sustaining transformation.

One of the most surprising lessons we learned is that transformation usually challenges people more than systems. The tools themselves worked as expected, but the real shift came when teams realized they had to change long standing habits and ways of collaborating. It taught us that adoption isn’t just about training, it’s about trust and communication. Once people felt included and understood why the changes mattered, the progress accelerated.