I start a new mandate and usually know within the first few days how big the problem really is. Not because I'm clairvoyant, but because the signals are visible everywhere. So far, they have just been successfully ignored, supposedly not seen or simply explained away. After more than 20 years in C-level mandates in transformation, restructuring and cultural change, I have learned that organizations do not fail due to a lack of concepts. They fail because they don't want to admit the truth about themselves and ultimately deal with it too late.
I encounter the same patterns of turning a blind eye time and time again. I'll tell you what really helps against it.