What kind of change requires a complete shift in how things are done, not just small tweaks?

The kind of change that requires a complete shift in how things are done, not just small tweaks, is called Transformational Change. Transformational change describes a fundamental, systemic, and often disruptive alteration that impacts the core operations, strategy, culture, or entire business model of an organization or system. It is not about improving existing methods, but rather about replacing them with entirely new ways of functioning. This type of change requires abandoning established assumptions and processes to create a new state of being, rather than simply refining the old one. For instance, a traditional media company pivoting from print publications to a fully digital, subscription-based online platform represents transformational change, as it necessitates new content creation methods, revenue models, technological infrastructure, and employee skill sets. Such changes are typically broad in scope, affecting multiple interdependent areas simultaneously, and demand significant resource investment, often involving high levels of risk and requiring extensive cultural adaptation throughout the system. In contrast, incremental change involves minor adjustments, optimizations, or continuous improvements within the existing framework.