Kotter 8-Step Step 2 - Build a Guiding Coalition. Form a group with enough power (position + expertise + credibility + leadership) to lead the change. Coalition characteristics: position power (senior line managers + key stakeholders) + expertise (relevant + diverse) + credibility (people-respect-and-listen-to) + leadership (not just management). The Accelerate model adds: a Volunteer Army of 5-10 percent of the workforce coalition (50+ ambassadors in mid-sized organisations + hundreds in large). Coalition must operate as a team with trust + common goal + shared sense of urgency. Common failure: underpowered (low-level + only HR + only consultants) + un-trusted + dominated by one person + functional silo + lacking key stakeholders. Methods: identify champions across functions and levels + create off-site team-building + clarify decision rights + establish meeting cadence + visible sponsorship from CEO and Board. Output: trusted high-credibility coalition with both formal and informal authority + cross-functional + cross-level + shared commitment to vision.
The graph holds this control, the 0 it maps to, and the evidence behind each claim, over MCP and REST.