To which group must a leader first promote an organizational change initiative?

While promoting a change initiative to the public can be important for transparency and reputation, it is not the first step. The public may not have a direct role or vested interest in the change, making it more effective to focus on internal stakeholders who will be directly impacted by the changes.

Engaging with other industry leaders can provide valuable insights and collaboration opportunities, but they are not the immediate audience for promoting a change initiative. The focus should initially be on those who have a direct stake in the organization, including employees and investors, rather than external peers.

Promoting a change initiative to market competitors is not advisable, as it could undermine the organization's competitive advantage. Competitors are not stakeholders in the change process and are unlikely to support or benefit from the initiative, making them an ineffective first audience.