LeadershipHuman ResourcesManagement Consulting

Reinvention Before Disruption: Leadership Lessons on Change Management | Tomorrowist

SHRM
SHRM•Feb 19, 2026

Why It Matters

The case illustrates how shifting to subscription can unlock scale but demands cross-functional transformation and new revenue and retention disciplines; leaders must plan for short-term financial pain, major operational upgrades, and continuous customer-centric delivery to realize long-term growth.

Summary

Logos, a faith-focused software and content company, shifted from a perpetual-license model to subscription under outgoing CEO Bill McCarthy, who has moved to chairman as Chris Mura takes the CEO role. The move required continuous development and triggered a J-curve revenue impact—initially lowering near-term bookings while enabling scale, exemplified by a recent large academic deal for 150,000 licenses. The pivot forced broad operational changes: modernizing back-office tools, ramping customer success and training, rethinking sales channels and compensation, and adopting faster learning cycles in 2025. McCarthy framed the change as strategic growth rather than rescue, with 2024 its strongest year and 2025 a “learn-fast” year for execution.

Original Description

Change can either happen to your organization — or you can lead it. This week, Bill McCarthy, Executive Chairman of Logos, shares what it takes to navigate change management and lead business transformation from a position of strength, not crisis. From reinventing a business model and maintaining customer satisfaction, to aligning leadership and reinforcing culture, this conversation unpacks how executives can proactively embrace change and scale for long-term growth. Tune in to learn:
- Why leading change early is a competitive advantage.
- How transparency and communication stabilize organizations during disruption.
- The ways leadership alignment and culture shape successful business transformation.
Resources from this Week's Episode -
Seminar: Managing Change
Toolkit: Managing Organizational Change
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