As the year draws to a close, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that progress in your change program is futile. You might believe that everyone's focused on holiday festivities and not paying attention to your initiatives but today I’m telling you why that’s simply not true.  Stakeholders, customers, and talent are still watching, and your team still wants to know how change will impact them. In this episode, I'm sharing insights and practical tactics on how you can keep the momentum going and avoid the common mistakes I see change leaders make at this time of year. 

One of the biggest mistakes I see change leaders make is not having a clear end of year strategy. Without a focused strategy for December and January, you risk wasting valuable effort that you’ve made throughout the year. This time is actually an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact while keeping your stakeholders engaged. I share my suggestion for creating holiday-specific plans that are low-intensity but high-impact, ensuring that everyone on the team is aligned with the priorities.

Business activities naturally slow down during the holidays, but I've discovered that disappearing entirely can lead to a loss of momentum. When you’re not visible as a change leader, stakeholders tend to deprioritise change-related tasks. Today I reveal some excellent tools you can use to maintain visibility during the festive season, including creating a holiday roadmap, sharing a holiday calendar, and sending personalised end-of-year messages to key stakeholders.

The holiday season doesn't have to mean a standstill in your change program. By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing the strategies I share today, you can keep the momentum going and set the stage for a successful start to the new year. It's all about being intentional, strategic, and thoughtful in your actions. Remember, your change program still matters, even during the holiday season. So, choose one or two impactful tactics, stay visible, and make the most of this time.

LINKS

Connect with me: 

There are 4 different Change Leadership Styles. Which one is yours? Take my free 2 min quiz to discover your Change Leadership Style here!

Website:            https://www.everchange.com.au/

LinkedIn:            https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkatebyrne

My guest today is Gillian Fox, an expert in all areas of women's career advancement and the founder of Your Brilliant Career and the Gillian Fox group. Gillian is not only an accomplished author but also a renowned moderator, keynote speaker, and senior executive coach, with a focus on leading gender diversity programs in some of Australia's largest businesses. 

Gillian’s work primarily revolves around helping executive leaders in major organisations elevate women into leadership positions. With over a decade of experience in designing and delivering leadership programs, Gillian is recognized as a leading business educator in this space. 

If you are looking to advance your career or if you are serious about increasing diversity and inclusion within your organisation to make way for more women to step into senior leadership roles, this is the episode for you. 

Gillian and I delved into the critical link between fostering diverse leadership, specifically advancing women, and creating a high-performing, change-ready organisational culture. We discussed the concept of "missing women" in organisations and why this can pose challenges. We also explored how to articulate your value within the organisation and the essential distinction between mentoring and sponsoring, with Gillian offering valuable insights on attracting sponsors and what sponsors look for in potential sponsees.

We explored the benefits of introducing more diversity at senior levels, including improved resilience to change and enhanced organisational performance. Gillian also shared her perspective on the importance of women in leadership positions, emphasising that while not everyone desires to climb the corporate ladder, for those who do, organisations must provide the necessary support to make that journey possible.

For those who aspire to advance their careers, Gillian offered valuable insights into showcasing their value within the organisation, both in meetings and impromptu interactions. She emphasised the importance of aligning your work with the organisation’s goals and mastering the art of articulating contributions with enthusiasm.

We also talk about the distinction between mentors and sponsors. Gillian explains how mentors offer advice and perspective while sponsors actively open doors and advocate for advancement. She shares her tips on how to attract sponsors, stressing the importance of being good at what you do, demonstrating loyalty, and consistently adding value to potential sponsors.

We covered so much ground in this conversation and whether you’re an employee looking for more opportunity or a leader wanting to be proactive in driving change within your organisation, you’re going to find so much value here today. 

LINKS

Connect with Gillian Fox:

Website:https://www.gillianfoxgroup.com.au/     

https://www.yourbrilliantcareer.com.au/   

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-fox  

Gillian’s Free Guide to Strategic Self-Promotion

Connect with me: 

There are 4 different Change Leadership Styles. Which one is yours? Take my free 2 min quiz to discover your Change Leadership Style here!

Website:            https://www.everchange.com.au/

LinkedIn:            https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkatebyrne

We've all heard those stories of resistance to change within organisations but how do you handle them when they come your way? Today I’m chatting with change management consultant and founder of Casa de Cambio, Natasha Redmond, who has a wealth of experience in navigating the turbulent seas of change within some of Australia's largest companies. 

In this episode, we explore strategies to better understand stakeholders, enhance change communication, build change capability, and address resistance at the root cause. Whether you're in the midst of a change initiative or want to prepare for future challenges, this episode is a goldmine of insights and practical tips. 

Change management can be a rollercoaster ride, and sometimes the reactions to it can be downright baffling. Natasha shares some of her craziest experiences, including a particularly intense encounter with a resistant team. Natasha emphasises that people rarely resist change for no reason, so it's crucial to delve deeper and understand what's truly driving their resistance.

It’s easy to label people as resistant but Natasha argues that this is overly simplistic and shifts the focus away from the role of change managers and leaders in creating a conducive environment for change. Instead, she encourages change practitioners to look inward, reflect on their approach, and consider whether they've missed crucial steps in the change process.

One key strategy Natasha emphasises is the importance of understanding stakeholders and involving them in the change process. Building relationships, capturing requirements, and co-designing solutions can make a significant difference. This is where communication also plays a pivotal role. We talk about not relying solely on emails for communication and the importance of diverse communication formats, such as face-to-face meetings, FAQs, town halls, and Lean Coffee sessions. The goal is to provide information in multiple ways, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to absorb and ask questions about the change.

While building change capability within an organisation is important, change fatigue can occur when employees are bombarded with continuous changes, leading to resistance. Therefore, it's essential to strike a balance between building capability and making hard decisions about which changes are truly critical. 

We also talk about the role of leadership and how to navigate a situation where even senior leaders are resistant to change. Natasha shares an example of how she dealt with this exact scenario and the importance of setting clear expectations early in the change process. 


Natasha shares so many practical tips and insightful lessons on the complexities of change within organisations and I know you’re going to get so much value from this conversation. 

LINKS

Connect with Natasha Redman:

Website:https://www.casadecambio.com.au/

Podcast:Casa de Cambio

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasharedman/

Connect with me: 

Download my ChatGPT Cheat Sheet here!

Website:            https://www.everchange.com.au/

LinkedIn:            https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkatebyrne