For decades, companies operated like well-oiled machines: efficient, predictable, and optimized for mass production.
But the world has shifted.
Markets are now complex, fast-moving, and uncertain.
I came across an insightful article on Harvard Business Review that explored why most transformation efforts fail.
The authors observed that many organizations still think like machines :
Rigid, hierarchical, and control-driven—even though today’s markets demand flexibility and adaptation.
They describe this evolution as the move from the “Tin Man Organization” to the “Octopus Organization.”
Instead of relying on command and control, modern organizations thrive on curiosity, distributed intelligence, and adaptive learning.
Explaining Change in Business English
As a professional, being able to explain why change is happening—and how it benefits the organization—is a key communication skill.
You’ll often need to describe transformation, justify decisions, or clarify causes and results in reports, presentations, and meetings.
This language function is especially useful for managers, project leads, and analysts who communicate business shifts, new systems, or process improvements.
Useful Phrases for Explaining Change and Reasons
Explaining change
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We’re moving from ___ to ___ in order to…
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The shift is designed to help us…
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This approach allows the team to…
Giving reasons
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The main reason for this change is…
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This happened because…
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One factor driving this shift is…
Showing cause and effect
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As a result, we’ve been able to…
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This has led to…
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Consequently, our teams can now…
Describing contrast (old vs. new)
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Unlike the previous system, this model…
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In contrast to earlier practices, this approach…
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Previously, we focused on ___. Now, we emphasize…
Practice Activity
Try rewriting these sentences using the language of explaining change and giving reasons:
1. “Managers must learn to ask questions instead of giving orders.”
→ Leaders are shifting from directing to questioning so that learning becomes central to their role.
2. “We’ve started shorter, open-ended meetings.”
→ We introduced shorter, more flexible meetings to encourage creativity and spontaneous problem-solving.
Now write two sentences about a change in your own workplace or project, using this structure. Focus on connecting the cause (why the change happened) and the effect (what it achieves).
Takeaway
The ability to explain change clearly isn’t just a linguistic skill—it’s a leadership skill.
When you can communicate transformation in logical, structured English, you:
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Build trust and credibility with stakeholders
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Help teams understand the why behind new directions
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Show confidence and clarity as a communicator
Next time you describe a shift or update at work, try this framework:
Old → New → Reason → Result
It’s simple, powerful, and shows you think—and speak—like a modern professional.