Dear Change Leader, What do you do when you can no longer take anything for granted? When familiar patterns and relationships are disrupted? When routines and well-established processes are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the moment? I believe we’re facing exactly such a moment today. The political and regulatory environment is unstable. […]
Navigating Uncertainty: Leadership in Tumultuous Times Read More »
Dear Change Leader, Have you ever found yourself in a meeting where half the agenda items feel like routine business, while the other half discuss existential threats to your organization? This cognitive whiplash isn’t just common in leadership today—it’s the defining feature. Consider what might be on your plate this week: Your finance team needs
Leading Through Complexity: Embracing the Messy Middle Read More »
Dear Change Leader, Let’s be honest — this is a challenging time. The last few weeks have brought more than their fair share of disruptions, affecting us at personal, team, organizational, and community levels. That’s a lot, isn’t it? And you’re not going to be comforted when I share with you an assessment recently made
Dear Change Leader, Ready. Fire. Aim. Sound familiar? If you’re wincing right now, you’re not alone. This all-too-common approach to change initiatives might be the most expensive three-word sequence in business. As one veteran change leader noted in Bent Flyvbjerg’s “How Big Things Get Done”: “Change Projects, not only do they often
Dear Change Leader, Would you fly on this airline? “We will no longer perform regular maintenance on our aircraft.” “Due to our hiring freeze, there will only be one pilot on the flight deck.” Imagine an airline making these announcements in the name of cost-cutting. Your reaction would likely be a mix
Dear Change Leader, Has anyone ever spoken to you like this? “Don’t you dare challenge me again.” “That’s a stupid idea” “Who asked you?” Ouch. That hurts. Think back to a time when you heard words like these. Notice how, even now, just remembering might make you feel unsettled. There’s a reason for that: emotions
When Leaders (Over) React: The Hidden Cost of Unmanaged Emotions Read More »
Dear Change Leader, We’re starting a new year, one that is certain to contain its fair share of unexpected developments. The upcoming change in presidential administration here in the United States is certain to provide many, many events and announcements that will impact the organizations we lead – both here and around the world.
Dear Change Leader, Well, we’ve reached that time of the year again! It’s mid-December, and our thoughts are naturally turning towards holidays and breaks from work. The New Year beckons us, and we approach it with either a sense of opportunity or a sense of dread… and perhaps a mix of both! So what are
Pause, Reflect, Transform: Your Strategic Guide to Leading Change in 2025 Read More »
When a headline reads “Director removed after staff complaints,” it’s natural to feel a ripple of concern. What’s really going in our organizations? And what does it mean for leaders like you? Beyond the Headlines The story itself is straightforward: A museum director was removed following concerns about their behavior and treatment of staff.
Creating Conditions for Success: A Fresh Look at Leadership Development Read More »
Dear Fellow Change Leader, In times of significant social and organizational disruption, I often reflect on a principle that has guided me through decades of witnessing and facilitating change: “Think Global, Act Local.“ I first encountered this phrase in 1990, during one of South Africa’s most turbulent periods. As Nelson Mandela emerged from 27 years