Final answer:
Executive and senior leaders are crucial for cultural change in SAFe implementation, but this must be complemented by strong social cohesion and consensus among community leaders of different generations for the change to truly take hold.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing the implementation of SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), and specifically what level of leadership is most important for effecting cultural change within an organization, it's crucial to consider the organizational hierarchy and the influence that different levels of leadership have on change initiatives. Implementing SAFe requires buy-in from all levels of the organization, but for cultural change, especially, executive and senior leadership play pivotal roles due to their influence on shaping policies, practices, and acting as role models for the desired change. Furthermore, successful cultural change also relies on strong social cohesion and clear communication between community leaders and the community at large, as well as across different generations within the community.
Cultural change through the SAFe implementation can be more effectively realized when there is a consensus among community leaders, including those of different generations. This entails collaboration across elders, adults, adolescents, men, and women, who are capable of either supporting or blocking new ideas and behaviors due to their respective positions of influence. It is evident that while cultural change is a multi-layered process, having committed and aligned leadership is a crucial component to driving change that is embraced at all levels of the organization.