According to John Kotter, what is the importance of creating a powerful guiding coalition?

Question

Options

• AIt can help guide the transformation
• BIt enables better exploration of customer needs
• CIt can build connections between Business and IT
• DIt creates a cross-functional team

• B
  3% (1)
• C
  91% (30)
• D
  6% (2)

Explanation

Important note before the explanation: The marked answer here appears to conflict with Kotter's actual framework. In Kotter's 8-Step Model, the guiding coalition's stated purpose is to guide the transformation - making A the textbook-correct answer. Option C (connecting Business and IT) sounds like it may come from a course that applies Kotter specifically to IT/digital transformation contexts.

If your course/textbook marks C as correct, it likely frames Kotter's coalition in an IT strategy context, where the coalition's key value is bridging the gap between business stakeholders and IT departments. In that reading, the coalition is cross-functional by design and its defining contribution is that alignment.

Why the other options are weaker in that framing:

• A is close, but considered too generic - "guiding the transformation" describes the coalition's activity, not its unique importance in a Business-IT context.
• B (exploring customer needs) relates to design thinking or agile discovery, not coalition-building.
• D (cross-functional team) describes what the coalition is, not why it's important - structure vs. value.

Memory tip: If your course ties Kotter to IT governance, think "Coalition = Bridge" - it bridges Business and IT, which is why leadership from both sides must be in the room.

Recommendation: Cross-check your course slides or textbook chapter on Kotter - if it frames this in a Business-IT context, go with C. If it follows Kotter's original model, the answer should be A.

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