Does organizational effectiveness depend on leadership?

Of course it does, but it depends on other things too. Leaders point to the areas that need to be effective. They describe what effectiveness looks like.  Effective organizations have leaders who are highly competent managers of change; they have leaders that know what to change, how to change, and when to change.

Effective organizations also need the capacity to change. It is incumbent upon leadership to make sure that their organizations understand the need for and ability to change.  They at minimum should  insure organizational effectiveness:

1. By providing the communications needed to align the organization,
2. By building the organization skills and training to do what’s needed,
3. By enabling adaptability in structure, processes, policies, and procedures to make changes quickly and efficiently.

But more than being competent and flexible, effectiveness means knowing what you’re good at and what you’re not good at.  Leaders critical  role is determining what the organization should be good at and moving them in that direction. Leaders in effective organizations make strategic decisions that are simultaneously aligned with and develop their organization’s capabilities.