Change Leader Insights – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Minette Norman, an award-winning author, speaker, leadership consultant, and former Silicon Valley software executive, about how psychological safety and strong listening skills create inclusive change leaders.

Minette knows that when groups embrace diversity in all forms, breakthroughs emerge, and innovation accelerates. Before starting her consultancy, she was responsible for influencing over 3,500 engineers around the globe at Autodesk, focusing on state-of-the-art engineering practices while nurturing a collaborative and inclusive culture. As the author of The Boldly Inclusive Leader and the co-author of The Psychological Safety Playbook, Minette helps leaders unleash the full potential of the people in their organizations.

During the conversation, Jessica and Minette discussed what change leaders can do to create more psychologically safe environments. Says Minette, “If you are leading change, one of the first things you are going to have to do if you want to create an environment where people will speak up and share what’s on their mind is you have to ask them to explicitly share their ideas. Ask the question, ‘What am I missing?’”

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ Practical tips for leaders to become better active listeners and support their team members effectively

☑️ Signs and symptoms of psychologically unsafe environments and tips for improving psychological safety in your environment

☑️ Examples of how low psychological safety during change leads to a cascade of negative consequences

If you want to learn more about psychological safety and listening, be sure to tune in and hear what Minette has to say!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Edwina Pike, co-founder of Irrational Change and disruptor of organizational behavior change, about the behavioral science behind change and its impact on workplace cultures (including toxic ones).

Edwina and her team are on a mission to change the way you think about change, to work smarter, not harder. With a unique blend of behavioral sciences, practical application, and irreverence, Edwina simplifies complex dynamics into practical, simple-to-use 'brain hacks.' Her energetic style promises an insightful conversation where you'll discover easy-to-adopt tactics to become the change agent or leader you want to be.

During the conversation, Jessica and Edwina discuss the significance of ensuring people feel included to improve team psychological safety and how many organizations (for-profit in particular) struggle to provide psychologically safe environments where change and innovation – which requires risk – thrive.

Says Edwina, “We hate to be excluded…It’s important that we feel included and that we are a part of the group…One of the most powerful punishments you give to anyone is a micro exclusion, and people do it all the time without even realizing.”

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ The importance of psychological safety in organizations today and why leaders should prioritize it

☑️ Small actions leaders can take to address the root causes of workplace environments lacking psychologically safe spaces

☑️ Why leadership development training is a necessity for improving leadership skills and leading effectively

If you want to learn more about behavioral science and change, be sure to tune in and hear what Edwina has to say! Connect with Edwina Pike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwina-pike/ Visit Irrational Change: https://www.irrationalchange.com/

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Paula Anastasiade, an Organizational Change Manager, Consultant, and Trainer based in Bucharest, about her research on change management in higher education and where there are gaps in the system.

Paula has 8+ years of organizational change management experience. Her mission is to help organizations adopt new ways of working and interacting with one another. She has led change management efforts for multinational companies running change and transformation initiatives, such as AI and ERP deployments, tool and process improvements, organizational business model redesigns, and organizational restructuring across IT, environmental technology, FMCG, finance, marketing, and sales teams.

During the conversation, Jessica and Paula discussed the three essential skills Paula believes are most important for MBA students looking to become organizational leaders. Says Paula, “Change management is one of them. In my opinion, [change management should be] a mandatory topic worth exploring as a standalone course. [The others] are critical thinking and decision-making.”

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ Staggering statistics around how few colleges offer change management as a core program and the lack of change management focus within MBA programs

☑️ Why digital transformation should be part of a holistic business leadership curriculum alongside change management education

☑️ The distinction between change leaders (the sponsors or people managers) and change managers (the practitioners)

If you want to learn more about change management and higher education, be sure to tune in and hear what Paula has to say!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Shoshanna French, the founder of Simple Spirit, about leadership, change, and listening to your intuition.

Shoshanna French is the founder of Simple Spirit™, a keynote speaker and executive coach to million—and billion-dollar business founders, CEOs, and business professionals. She generates unpredictable and profound results for leaders ready to align purpose and action. Shoshanna combines two decades in the professional development field with executive coaching to support visionary leaders.

During the conversation, Jessica and Shoshanna discussed the significance of active listening in change leadership and how important it is for people to feel heard. Balancing intuition with active listening takes time to develop, and I asked Shoshanna how active listening plays into following intuition. Says Shoshanna, “My general philosophy about listening to yourself is that within ourselves is wisdom. Wisdom is a combination of experience, what you’ve learned, and your intuition. We have access to all of it at any moment.”

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ Remembering how to use your intuition as a change leader by using curiosity and asking yourself questions to make better decisions

☑️ Managing resistance in yourself and others when teaching intuitive decision-making by building new neural pathways

☑️ How to lean into your intuition in moments of conflict (and why conflict – especially amidst change - isn’t a bad thing)

If you want to learn more about listening to and leveraging your intuition as a change leader, be sure to tune in and hear what Shoshanna has to say!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Kerry Siggins, the CEO of StoneAge and its subsidiary, Breadware, about the ownership mindset and taking responsibility for your life and career.  

Kerry Siggins is the CEO of StoneAge, an employee-owned company and manufacturer of tools and equipment for the industrial cleaning industry, as well as its subsidiary, Breadware, an Internet of Things product development company. She’s a sought-after speaker, the author of the “Ownership Mindset, a Handbook for Transforming Your Life and Leadership,” a blogger and contributor to several publications, and the host of Reflect Forward, a popular leadership podcast.   

During the conversation, Jessica and Kerry discussed what it takes to cultivate the ownership mindset and how this way of thinking can help people enhance how they lead, collaborate, and innovate, and execute strategic change.   

Says Kerry, “As a leader, it all starts with trust. That is where the ownership mindset starts. You are not going to create that type of thinking within your organization if you do not trust your team to make decisions and implement their ideas.”  

Highlights from the conversation include:  

☑️ How to use the ownership mindset at work (with examples from Kerry and what she has seen at StoneAge) 

☑️ The importance of collaboratively defining a vision and strategy for the company (or change) versus it being a siloed, individual team-driven effort  

☑️ Why self-care is a critical component of the ownership mindset and imperative for effective change leadership  

If you want to learn more about the ownership mindset as it relates to building an adaptable, thriving, change-ready business, be sure to tune in and hear what Kerry has to say!   

In this episode of Apogy’s Change Leader Insights podcast, host Jessica Crow speaks with Richard Pharro, founder and CEO of APMG International, about how he started his career as a civil engineer and served on the board of the Association of Project Management before starting APMG International, how he’s used transparent communication to lead through change and Richard’s passion for professional certifications and development.

Richard is the founder and CEO of APMG, one of the few privately owned international accreditation and certification bodies.  Started in 1993, APMG has expanded its portfolio to nearly 100 schemes across the management spectrum on behalf of many National and International organizations and has representation in 14 countries.

During the conversation, Jessica asked Richard to share advice for change or project professionals who aren’t new to the field but want to develop in their profession. Richard explains that, ultimately, it’s all about the people. Says Richard, “Someone [once] said, ‘You manage the process but lead people.’ If you can’t take the people with you, whether it’s a change program or a project, it’s not going to happen.”

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ Hearing how Richard and APMG International navigated the changes that resulted from the pandemic

☑️ Strategies for motivating people when they’re experiencing disruptions and fear, including sharing the pain and providing transparent communication throughout the process

☑️ The value of continuous learning and accredited training services in understanding and developing new skills

If you want to learn more about being a vulnerable and transparent leader at the C-Suite level (or any high-level leadership role) and the power of training and professional development, be sure to tune in and hear what Richard has to say!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Dr. Jen Frahm, the co-founder of The Agile Change Leadership Institute, speaker, and three-time author, about her career journey and passion for change, the value (and importance) of change leadership, and how to lean into courage to move beyond feeling stuck.

Jen has over 30 years of experience in change management and builds change capability in organizations through The Agile Change Leadership Institute. She is a global expert on organizational change, communication, and transformation, a tamer of ambiguity, a speaker of truths, and a solver of problems. She’s the author of Change. Leader: The changes you need to make first (2021) and Conversations of Change: A guide to workplace change (2017), and co-author of The Agile Change Playbook (2020).

During the conversation, Jessica and Jen discussed the critical significance of change leadership in leading successful change. Change managers alone can’t implement and sustain effective change, and Jen emphasized the role leaders play and the changes they need to make to become fit to lead change. Says Jen, “You can have the best change manager in the world. You can have the best change plan, and communications [can be] absolutely brilliant. And [the change] will only succeed or fail based on the quality and caliber of the leader who is in front of you.”

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ Understanding change leadership and the pivotal role it plays in leading successful change

☑️ How courage (to try new things and be uncomfortable) and self-compassion can propel leaders forward

☑️ Ways to feed your curiosity as a change leader to grow your knowledge and abilities

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Mark Green, CEO and Founder of Change Rebellion, about his career path, having fun at work (and why we should), and the role of perspective in life and change.

Mark, who has over 22 years of experience, launched Change Rebellion last year, where honesty meets empathy and Change Management returns to its practical roots to support workplace transformations. Through his work at Change Rebellion, Mark is on a mission to challenge the complexity of consulting and change management and prioritizes well-being and empathy to sell human-centric change.

During the conversation, Jessica and Mark discussed strategies for individuals within organizations leading or supporting change to bring more fun (and themselves!) into their work. Encourages Mark, “If you're in a change management role, [and] you don’t think you’d be listened to, you don’t think it’s going well, or you’ve got some frustrations, just try incrementally bringing a little bit of you into the workplace, whatever that looks like.”  

Highlights from the conversation include: 
 
☑️ How to help organizations and teams navigate a change while making it fun 
☑️ Strategies for engaging with and getting to know people on a deeper level to help drive change 
☑️ Ways individuals within organizations leading change can bring more fun, creativity, and a willingness to try new things into their work  
 
If you’ve ever wondered how you might be able to lead change and have fun while doing it, be sure to tune in and hear what Mark has to say!

If you’ve ever wondered how you might be able to lead change and have fun while doing it, be sure to tune in and hear what Mark has to say!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Wendy Hirsch, a change management coach and advisor, about evidence-based change management, fairness (or lack thereof) in change, and effectively coaching or consulting clients struggling to get their organization on board with change.

Wendy has over two decades of experience in change leadership across the non-profit, for-profit, and government sectors in the U.S. and abroad. Her work is informed by over twenty years in strategy and operations roles reporting directly to C-suite executives and supported by certifications in change management, project management, coaching, and meditation instruction. In addition to helping organizations and individuals master the art and science of change, Wendy published a book, The Implementer's Starter Kit, which introduces a simple framework for each stage of the implementation process, drawing on 20 years of hands-on experience.

During the conversation, Jessica and Wendy discussed the term “evidence-based” regarding change management. Says Wendy, “When I say evidence-based approach, we often think about just journal articles, but it is about thinking more broadly of, other than my gut feeling or my opinion, what are the other things I can bring to bear on maybe what's the best way of making this work.”

Highlights from the conversation include:

☑️ How Wendy supports change leadership without ever having held the title of “Change Manager”

☑️ Ways to think about applying frameworks in change management

☑️ Strategies for coaching or consulting a client struggling to rally their organization behind a change

If you’ve ever considered a career in consulting with organizations leveraging your own framework or want fresh ideas on how to approach leading change through evidence, be sure to tune in and hear what Wendy has to say!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Ket Patel, the Founder of Change Agitators and Change Management Institute Accredited Master Change Practitioner, about why change management is a career path worth pursuing and how to develop confidence as a change practitioner.  

Ket, who has over 20 years’ experience working with small to medium size organizations as they look to scale, grow, and modernize their businesses, is also a passionate volunteer within the field of change management. In addition to leading the UK Change Management Institute for several years, Ket has set up a not-for-profit, Change Reactions, to support new entrants into the field of organizational change.

During the conversation, Jessica and Ket discuss how many change practitioners “end up in change management” versus pursuing it as a career path, what he’s doing to help change this storyline, and why this will benefit organizations in the long run. Says Ket, “everyone I speak to says it took 10 years to find this role; why is that, and what have we lost out on as a result of all the people that never found this role that would be really good at it?”

Highlights from the conversation include:

• Why low rates of adoption persist, despite decades of change management research
• The link between mindfulness, resilience, self-reflection and change management
• How purpose and goals can positively transform people’s perception of change

If you’ve ever considered a career in change management and/or want fresh ideas on how to approach leading change, be sure to tune in and hear what Ket has to say!