Resistance is not the enemy of change — it is information. In this lively conversation with Cecilia Sepp, Michael reframes pushback as one of the most valuable signals a leader can receive during a change initiative. He shares why leaders who dismiss or suppress resistance consistently fail, and what it looks like to engage resisters […]
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Have you heard our clients describe what happens when they work with us? Rebuilding from the Ground Up: Revitalizing an Academic Department When James accepted the interim chair position at a prestigious university department, he inherited what many would consider a leadership vacuum—the department had lost not only its previous chair but most of
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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 go wrong, but
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
Have you heard our clients describe what happens when they work with us? Transforming Uncertainty into Clarity When Sarah stepped into leadership at a national nonprofit, she faced what many would consider an impossible situation. As the eighth leader in just four years, she inherited an organization in turmoil—lacking strategic direction, stable leadership, and
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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.
What happens when a leader invests in coaching — not for their team, but for themselves? Michael joins Sarah Olivieri to explore the underappreciated value of executive coaching for nonprofit leaders, including how coaching accelerates leadership development, reduces decision fatigue, and creates the reflective capacity that drives sustainable high performance. Michael draws on his work
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Culture change is one of the hardest things a nonprofit can attempt — and one of the most expensive to get wrong. Michael speaks with Haley Cooper about what culture change actually involves (beyond the posters and values statements), the real costs of staff turnover during change transitions, and how leaders can hold teams together
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Associations face a unique set of change challenges — balancing member expectations with the need to evolve, often with volunteer boards and distributed governance structures. Michael joins Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain on the Association Transformation podcast to explore how association leaders can stop fighting resistance and start listening to it. A must-listen for association
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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 »
Have you heard our clients describe what happens when they work with us? Unlocking Potential: From Resistance to Cohesion When Sam stepped into his new leadership role at a global pharmaceutical company, he inherited more than a team—he inherited a tribe. With deep loyalties to their previous leader and established ways of working, the
Unlocking Potential – How External Insights Transformed This Team Read More »