Strategic planning has become almost mandatory for designing the future of universities in North America. Although much has been written about its technical aspects, the focus has seldom been on the human factor and its critical role in the implementation of these plans. This presentation places the emphasis on this central component. Through cases drawn from 15 years at the helm of the huge Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Universitˇ de Montrˇal, we present a systemic approach to effective and lasting change.