Explore every episode of the podcast Championing Change At Work

Leading change effectively isn’t about checking boxes when corporate priorities shift. If you want to navigate shifting priorities without burnout, build a workplace where employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered to contribute meaningfully. In times of change, uncertainty, and evolving objectives, one truth remains: people need to feel valued. When employees know their contributions matter, they are able to make better decisions, collaborate more effectively, and take ownership of their roles in ways that drive real results across corporations.

About Domonique Townsend:

Hi! I’m Domonique Townsend. I help leaders drive change, secure stakeholder buy-in, increase employee engagement, and achieve key milestones faster.

With 17+ years of combined industry expertise as an Industrial Engineer, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and Corporate Consultant, my work has impacted over 100,000 leaders, business owners, and employees globally. As the CEO of We Optimize Work, we have helped organizations add over $80 million in value through improved performance, productivity, and engagement.

Are you navigating a change initiative and need stronger stakeholder buy-in? Let’s talk:

Book a call with me: https://calendly.com/makeworkfeelgood

Learn my proven WOW framework by purchasing my book, Inspired to Innovate Book: https://www.weoptimizework.com/inspiredtoinnovate

Leadership isn’t about how much you can take on, it’s about how effectively you lead and engage others to drive results in navigating a change or business initiative. But too often, leaders like you can fall into the trap of believing that saying yes to everything is a sign of dedication. You might believe that to be impactful, you must always have the answers before taking action. Or that the hardest-working leaders, the ones who continually stretch themselves thin are the most committed.

In the workplace, many times you aren’t afforded the opportunity to say no to lead an assigned goal. The key is in developing an informed decision on how to prioritize key engagement needs and realigning existing demands before adding a ‘yes’ to an already full plate. Completing this recommended WOW action will strengthen your influence, build a more engaged team, and allow you to show up fully in all areas of your life. The most effective leaders aren’t the ones who do it all; they’re the ones who trust themselves to empower others to engage in decisions needed to make aligned actions.

If you found this edition of Championing Change at Work helpful, I encourage you to sign up for my free Championing Change Playbook that guides you through overcoming the most common challenges leaders face in navigating change or transition at work. Visit my website at https://www.weoptimizework.com and enter your email to grab your copy today!

About Me:

Hi, I’m Domonique Townsend! I help leaders design change strategies that gain stakeholder buy-in and drive employee engagement for lasting results. With 17 years of industry experience, clients have added $80 million in value in improved employee engagement, productivity and performance. Partner with me to speak with your organization today.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/domoniqueatownsend/

Join me on April 11, 2025 for the How to Build a Buy-In Strategy workshop! It's an in-person event in Nashville, TN at The WOW Lab!

Seats are limited. Registration information is here:

How To Build a Buy-In Strategy: A Leader's Blueprint to Stakeholder Alignment | Weoptimizework

In this episode of Championing Change at Work, Domonique Townsend dives into the critical role relationships play in leadership. She shares how one multi-million-dollar initiative failed due to poor stakeholder engagement and contrasts it with instances where leaders turned resistance into success through strong relationship-building.

Tune in for actionable strategies on how to win over decision-makers and influencers, ensuring your ideas gain the buy-in they deserve. Domonique explains why strong strategies alone aren’t enough and outlines four essential steps for managing stakeholders:

1) Identifying key stakeholders and understanding their motivations

2) Persuading decision-makers to get on your side

3) Navigating potential conflicts

4) Sustaining long-term relationships for continued support.

Struggling to Navigate Change? Let’s Solve It in 30 Minutes.

I’m hosting 1:1 consulting calls to help leaders like you tackle the real challenges standing in the way of success.

If you're struggling with:

🔹 Driving change but hitting resistance—You’re pushing initiatives, but employees aren’t engaging or adapting fast enough.

🔹 Aligning teams across departments—Misalignment is slowing down execution and causing friction in your organization.

🔹 Balancing engagement and performance—You want employees to feel valued while also meeting business goals.

🔹 Winning over key stakeholders to champion your efforts—You know what needs to happen, but you’re struggling to get executive buy-in and support.

These are challenges I solve every day, and I want to help you break through them.

On this 30-minute 1:1 call, I’ll answer your biggest question, give you clear next steps, and provide you with a digital tool from my playbook to make implementation easier.

Let’s remove the guesswork so you can lead with confidence and impact.

📅 Spots are limited—book your call now. https://calendly.com/makeworkfeelgood

Understanding how you respond to change can transform the way you lead, navigate uncertainty, and support your team. In this episode, we explore the four primary change types—Pioneer, Navigator, Reflector, and Guardian—and how self-awareness can help you reduce stress, increase adaptability, and foster trust in times of transition. Learn how to leverage your natural tendencies to become a more confident and effective leader.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ The four main change types and how they shape your response to change

✔️ Why self-awareness is crucial for navigating transitions successfully

✔️ How to identify your personal change type with a quick assessment

✔️ Actionable strategies to harness your strengths and support your team during change

Take the Change Type Assessment: Curious about your change type? Take our quick quiz to discover how you naturally respond to change and what that means for your leadership style. Subscribe to our email list at: We Optimize Work | Change Management Consulting | Nashville, TN USA

Purchase a copy of my book, Inspired to Innovate to learn the full roadmap to leading a change or workplace transition with success. This is key if you are seeking employee buy-in or want to expand how employees utilize their skills to reaching change goals!

Let’s Connect:

🌍 Learn more about optimizing work and leadership: https://www.weoptimizework.com 🔗

Follow me on LinkedIn for more insights: https://www.linkedin.com/in/domoniqueatownsend/

📩 Share your thoughts and experiences—I'd love to hear from you!

Listen now to learn how knowing your change type can lead you to be a more engaging leader! 🎧

In this episode of Championing Change at Work, we dive into the realities of navigating change as a business owner and leader. After a major contract loss due to an executive order, I reflect on the emotional and strategic pivots required to stay mission driven. I cover how shifts in corporate priorities, particularly DEI rollbacks, impact leaders and employees, no matter their industry. Most importantly, I share actionable strategies to be successful in:

• Pivoting a process while staying on mission during change beyond your control.
• Developing a strategy to be proactive in reducing employee resistance and negative impacts in employee morale during change in the workplace.

Ways to connect with me:

• Connect with me on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/domoniqueatownsend/
• Join The WOW Collective: A free email community for leaders who seek insights and case studies to navigate change successfully. Subscribe and receive a FREE copy of the Championing Change at Work playbook. Sign up at: https://www.weoptimizework.com
• Subscribe to this podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/championingchangeatwork/

Part3: From Fear to Focus: Transformative Strategies to Lead Change with Clarity and Confidence

In part 1, we covered developing your leadership purpose statement to redefine how your core values support achieving a key objective in leading your team. In part 2, we explored empathy mapping and how it is an excellent tool to help you further understand the concerns and potential challenges to consider in the training, resources and actions determined for your approach in navigating a change. Now, we are bringing it all together in part 3!

By providing clarity in your communication and engaging with employees at a level relevant to them, you empower your team to act with confidence. That is where the development of a strategy.

Here are three ways to stay connected with me:

1. Subscribe: Visit my site at https://www.weoptimizework.com to receive a free digital Championing Change Playbook, which addresses the top challenges leaders face with change. By subscribing, you'll also join the WOW Collective, where I share insights and details about upcoming events to help you overcome the biggest challenges in leading change.
2. Purchase my book: Inspired to Innovate, available at https://www.weoptimizework.com/inspiredtoinnovate which provides a comprehensive framework for gaining employee buy-in and effectively leading any change or new initiative.
3. Follow me: Stay connected with me on my podcast available on Apple Podcasts and https://rss.com/podcasts/championingchangeatwork/, and on YouTube and LinkedIn for more insights, updates, and strategies.

Fear and stress are natural responses to change, experiencing these emotions are NOT and I repeat NOT emotional responses that are indicative of your capability to be successful in leading the change itself. As a leader, your role is not to eliminate the emotions you experience personally or to eliminate the emotions expressed by your team. Your role as a leader…… has a greater impact when you focus on creating a space where these emotions can be understood and addressed intentionally.

One of the most optimal tools to normalize and navigate a dialogue that incorporates the emotional aspects is through empathy mapping.

In this podcast episode, I'm going to walk you through the 4 phases to create an empathy map.

There are 3 ways to stay connected with me.

Subscribe by visiting my site at We Optimize Work | Change Management Consulting | Nashville, TN USA to receive a free eBook on how to address the top challenges leaders face with change - you will be joined into the WOW collective where I share upcoming events and insights to help you solve the biggest challenges faced with change.

You can purchase my book - Inspired to Innovate available on my website We Optimize Work | Change Management Consulting | Nashville, TN USA that provides an in-depth view of the framework to develop a change management plan that gets buy-in and drives innovation and the last way to stay connected with me is to follow me here on YouTube and LinkedIn.

If you would like to work with me directly, I’m hosting an exclusive WOW Change-Ready Workshop on January 23rd at 10:00amCT, where I will walk you through the proven strategies and tools to successfully lead transitions in the workplace or your business. This virtual session is valued at $1,800 per person, but here’s the exciting part: you can join a pay what you want pricing for the month of January only. The price will be $1,800 starting next month. So, I highly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.

Before we see each other next week, I want you to remember this. You are the leader that workplaces need to make work a better place to experience and drive change that makes a true difference in how work is performed.

If you are a leader experiencing anxiety, worry or fear of how employees will respond to change or in how you will be successful leading the change - this series is for you. I’m Domonique Townsend, Your Right-Hand Navigator for Driving Change, Engaging Teams, and Sustaining Success.

In this 3-part series, I am going to walk you from the limiting emotion of fear to experiencing the expanded emotion of focus with transformative strategies to help you lead change with clarity and confidence.

Change can be stressful, but the weight of trying to figure out all the answers doesn’t have to be carried alone. And I’m honored to partner with you in helping you lift that weight.

In part 1, I teach you how to develop your leadership purpose statement.

Check it out and I look forward to seeing how this episode helped you navigate a change or transition in the workplace.

There are 3 ways to stay connected with me. Subscribe by visiting my site at We Optimize Work | Change Management Consulting | Nashville, TN USA to receive a free eBook on how to address the top challenges leaders face with change - you will be joined into the WOW collective where I share upcoming events and insights to help you solve the biggest challenges faced with change.

You can also purchase my book - inspired to innovate available on my website We Optimize Work | Change Management Consulting | Nashville, TN USA that provides an in-depth view of the framework to develop a change management plan that gets buy-in and drives innovation and the last way to stay connected with me is to subscribe to this podcast or follow me on LinkedIn and YouTube.

If you would like to work with me directly, I’m hosting an exclusive WOW Change-Ready Workshop on January 23rd (Date Change from January 9th) at 10:00amCT , where I will walk you through the proven strategies and tools to successfully lead transitions in the workplace or your business. This virtual session is valued at $1,800 per person, but here’s the exciting part: you can join a pay what you want pricing for the month of January only. The price will be $1,800 starting next month.

So I highly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.

Register at: WOW Change Ready Workshop | Weoptimizework

In this episode, I cover the dynamics of change and its significance for improving your personal and organization’s success in navigating any change.

Have your pen and paper ready, I will be providing you with a process for change success that has been taught to thousands of leaders in the workplace!

Many times, we are not in control of when change will occur, but we do have an opportunity to change how we experience change.

Check out this episode on “Leading Change in 2025: How Your Role Shapes Transformation and Drives Success”!

Do you want to be change ready in 2025? I want to share an incredible opportunity for you to take your change leadership skills to the next level. If navigating change has ever felt overwhelming, unclear, or isolating, this is your chance to step into confidence, clarity, and empowerment.

I’m hosting an exclusive Change-Ready Blueprint Session on January 9th, 2025, where I’ll walk you through the proven strategies and tools to successfully lead transitions in the workplace or your business. This session is valued at $1,800 per person, but here’s the exciting part: you can join for whatever amount feels right for you.

This special pricing is part of our commitment to ensuring that every leader—regardless of budget—has the opportunity to grow, flourish, and lead change with purpose.

Visit our website at https://www.weoptimizework.com to register now. Spots are limited 25 seats.

I don’t want you to miss out on this chance to become the leader your team needs during times of change.

Join me, and let’s build your roadmap to success. I’ll see you next week!

The holiday season often amplifies the pressures of work-life balance, especially if you are juggling year-end demands. This time of year, you’re likely finding yourself mentally and emotionally taxed, struggling to disconnect from work despite the promise of rest. As a leader, it’s essential to understand that clarity is your greatest ally. When your mind is clear, rest transforms into a strategic tool that goes beyond surface-level relaxation to fuel your long-term effectiveness. Rest may seem like an unattainable luxury or overlooked as an opportunity to consider within your schedule, and the ability to rest can be a big benefit for you.

I read a study by the American Psychological Association that found 62% of leaders reporting they experienced difficulty disconnecting from work, and 8 out of 10 leaders report better mental well-being when they take time to gain clarity before their time off.

With us being in the traditional season where you are likely to have vacation or planned PTO days, this is an ideal time to consider these 3 solutions shared in this podcast episode!

Want to join me for a change-ready blueprint session in 2025?

I want to share an incredible opportunity for you to take your change leadership skills to the next level. If navigating change has ever felt overwhelming, unclear, or isolating, this is your chance to step into confidence, clarity, and empowerment.

I’m hosting an exclusive Change Ready Workshop on January 9th, 2025, a 2-hr virtual session for leaders who want to champion change with confidence, clarity and transformation in 2025! I’ll walk you through the proven strategies and tools to successfully lead transitions in the workplace or your business. This session is valued at $1,800 per person, but here’s the exciting part: the tickets are available for pay what you want*.

This affordable option is part of our commitment to ensuring that every leader—regardless of budget—has the opportunity to grow, flourish, and lead change with purpose.

Included in the session:

• 2-Hour Workshop Facilitated By Yours Truly
• WOW Change-Ready Blueprint
• Collaboration and Implementation Activity
• The Dynamics of Change at Work + Change Ready Workbook

Visit https://www.weoptimizework.com to register today. Spots are limited to 25 leaders.

I don’t want you to miss out on this chance to become the leader your team needs during times of change.

Navigating change in the workplace as a leader can often feel like walking a tightrope. You’re balancing the responses of employees and the directives of executives, all while striving to meet challenging timelines that push your current demands to the limit. There are communication techniques that you can incorporate into your approach that will not only boost your confidence but also transform skepticism into buy-in from your team.

“The way that you communicate has the power to shift perspectives, build understanding, and empower change in the workplace.”

In this episode, we’ll walk through the common challenges leaders like you face when communicating during times of change and solutions that will keep your team informed, prevent misinformation, and lead with clarity and confidence—even under demanding timelines.

Before we wrap up, I want to share an incredible opportunity for you to take your change leadership skills to the next level. If navigating change has ever felt overwhelming, unclear, or isolating, this is your chance to step into confidence, clarity, and empowerment.

I’m hosting an exclusive Change-Ready Blueprint Session on January 9th, 2025, where I’ll walk you through the proven strategies and tools to successfully lead transitions in the workplace or your business. This session is valued at $1,800 per person, but here’s the exciting part: you can join for whatever amount feels right for you.

This pay-what-you-want model is part of our commitment to ensuring that every leader—regardless of budget—has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and lead change with purpose.

Visit my website at We Optimize Work | Change How Employees Experience Change to register now. Spots are limited, and I don’t want you to miss out on this chance to become the leader your team needs during times of change.

Join us, and let’s build your roadmap to success. I’ll see you in the session!

The fear that adjusting to change could temporarily affect performance, productivity, or the quality of work can lead to decreased output or overall dissatisfaction - it is a REAL concern. But what I have learned is that our initial reaction to a change is not the truth of what is being compromised. For your initial concern about change is a perceived loss of quality and not an actual loss of quality in what change impacts.

In this podcast episode, we will focus on 3 areas that will help you understand your concerns around change, the right strategy to mitigate the risks of your concerns and how to implement a phased approach to navigating change to support your capacity and reduce common concerns of impacts to productivity and performance by championing change.

The most important approach when championing any change is to meet your current level of readiness before tailoring any approach to support your success.

Purchase a copy of my book, Inspired to Innovate at: We Optimize Work | Change Management Experts

Connect with me on LinkedIn to share your thoughts or concerns around change. I'd love to know how this episode helps you and additional opportunities to provide tools to support your success in navigating change or transition. Click here to connect: (3) Domonique Townsend, LSSMBB | LinkedIn

Share this episode with a leader who you know is navigating a change in the workplace!

Thank you for listening to today's episode of "How to Get Buy-In When Employees are Resistant to Change?"! I'm Domonique Townsend, your host and go-to navigator for championing change at work. It is an honor to share my work and experiences to help you lead with impact and innovation in the workplace.

In this episode, I speak on:

• How to identify your personal behavioral tendencies to change.
• How to develop an aligning objective where the change speaks to the language of your team.
• How to lead outcomes-based conversations to encourage buy-in around a change.

Remember, you are the leader workplaces need to make a difference in how work is experienced and performed.

Want to lead change successfully with your team?

Purchase a copy of my book: We Optimize Work | Change Management Experts

Subscribe to the WOW Collective for free resources, insights and updates on WOW events by visiting www.weoptimizework.com!

Make work feel good!

Are you a leader navigating the challenges of transformation? Wondering how to manage resistance, ensure successful transitions, or keep morale high when everything around you are shifting? You’re not alone.

I’m Domonique Townsend, your host and go-to change management expert. Over the past 17 years combined in the workplace and now as a corporate consultant, I’ve heard all the tough questions from leaders across industries. Questions like: "How do I get my team on board when they’re resistant to change?" “What’s the secret to a smooth transition without losing productivity?” And “How do I keep my team’s energy up when change feels overwhelming?”

Well, I’ve got the answers — and I’m sharing them with you in every episode of Championing Change at Work.

In this podcast, I’ll be bringing you expert insights, proven strategies, and real-world examples to help you tackle those tough challenges head-on. You’ll hear from seasoned leaders, organizational development experts, and change management pros who will help you lead your teams with confidence, even in the most uncertain times.

Each episode will give you practical tools, tips, and actionable advice, so you can successfully guide your teams through change, boost morale, and ensure your organization thrives — no matter what comes your way.

This is the go-to podcast for change navigators like you, the leaders who know that change is inevitable — but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be painful.

So, if you’re ready to be the change-maker your team needs, tune in to Championing Change at Work. Subscribe now, and let’s get started on this journey together.

Because change isn’t just something to manage… it’s something you can champion.