SCARE To CARES: Leading Digital Transformation Without Chaos

Saby Waraich

Let’s be honest: Change is messy, especially the kind tied to new technology, shifting systems or modernizing how things get done. I’ve led enough digital projects to know that even the best ideas can fall apart if people aren’t ready.

When projects go sideways, we usually examine timelines, budgets or tools. But more often, the real issues are less visible. Stress builds, tension creeps in and people get stuck. I call these the SCARE factors: Stress, Chaos, Anxiety, Resistance To Change and Ego.

They’re not on the project plan but always in the room. You’ve probably seen it:

• Meetings that go in circles.

• Emails filled with just enough formality to hide frustration.

• Good people shutting down or pushing back, not because they don’t care—but because they’re overwhelmed, uncertain or just not bought in.

This happens everywhere—from government offices to private companies. And it’s not about bad intentions. It’s just human nature. When things move fast, when expectations are unclear or when there’s a fear of looking bad, people naturally go into self-protective mode.

A while ago, I realized that trying to “fix” these problems with more structure or tighter control usually made things worse. What worked better? Changing how we show up as leaders. That’s where CARES comes in: Communicate, Adapt, Relationships, Empower and Stay Calm.

Communicate

Not updates. Not memos. Actual communication—open, simple and two-way. I’ve made it a habit to say things like, "Here’s what we know," "Here’s what we’re still figuring out" and "Here’s what we need from you." It builds trust when people aren’t left guessing.

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Adapt

Things will go off-script. They always do. The scope might change. A key resource might leave. A new priority may take over. That's normal.

What's not normal—but necessary—is the ability to adapt without losing direction. One of the best things a leader can do is normalize change. Leaders who model flexibility create teams that respond with creativity instead of panic.

Relationships

Projects move at the speed of trust, and trust is built through relationships. Get to know your team beyond their job titles. Try to understand what matters to them. When people feel respected and heard, they'll go the extra mile—not because they have to, but because they want to.

Use the three pillars of gratitude, empathy and trust to build effective relationships. Strong relationships are like a glue that holds complex projects together.

Empower

People will commit to what they help build. Everyone else checks out if the same handful of folks are always calling the shots. But when you ask for input, do you use it? That changes things. Suddenly, people care—and they’ll give more than what’s “required.”

Stay Calm

This might be the toughest one. Things get messy. Mistakes happen. The heat turns up. But how you respond sets the tone. I’ve learned to pause, breathe and keep my voice steady—especially when everyone else is ready to panic. It doesn’t fix the problem, but it helps the team stay focused enough to fix it together.

Conclusion

No playbook fits every project, but I’ve repeatedly seen that when we lead with CARES, things go better. People feel safer, teams move with more clarity and solutions come faster—without all the noise.

Change isn’t just about technology. It’s about people. People need calm, clarity and connection to do their best work.