Change Leader Insights

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!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Aileda Lindal, Business Alchemist and Conscious Leadership Consultant, about conscious leadership and how we can leverage mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence to embrace change, encourage creativity, and foster a culture of transparency, innovation, and resilience. As a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience, Aileda is a transformative Business Alchemist and Conscious Leadership Adviser, blending cutting-edge business strategies with deep intuitive insights to guide leaders and organizations through transformative growth. Specializing in the convergence of technology and humanity, she empowers clients to navigate the complexities of the digital era with a human-centric approach. During the conversation, Jessica and Aileda discuss how change leaders can unlock their full potential by developing a new internal operating model rooted in conscious awareness. Says Aileda, “Conscious awareness is when we are in that place and state of being to make new choices and new decisions. We have to be in that place in order to evolve (change) anything.” Highlights from the conversation include: The impact of words, and how to use neuroplasticity to improve your inner narrative How to protect your energy and ability to stay calm during chaos The gift of intuition and how to use your gut instinct to be a better leader If you’d like to develop greater self-awareness and become a more conscious, inspiring leader, be sure to tune in and listen to the tips and strategies Aileda shares!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Doug Miller, MCC, Senior Director and Master Coach in the School of Leadership at DaVita, a leading Fortune 500® provider of kidney care that delivers dialysis services to patients in 2700 outpatient dialysis centers in the U.S. and abroad. Gratefully immersed in what he calls his dream job, Doug facilitates leadership development programs and coaches executives, creating places for self-reflection and growth. He is a lifelong learner, with degrees and certifications in business, psychology, and executive coaching; he continues his own personal and professional growth journey through various workshops and gathering weekly in a men’s circle. Doug also holds the distinguished designation of Master Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation.  During this conversation, Jessica and Doug discuss how to unlock potential and become more trustworthy, conscious leaders of people and change. Says Doug, “If you want people to follow you, they need to believe and trust you.” To build trust and buy-in, Doug explains the importance of doing self-reflective work to better understand who you are, what you believe in, and how your emotional reactions and blind spots may be getting in the way of your ability to lead and influence change.     Highlights from the conversation include: ☑️ How effective communication can help build more trusting relationships ☑️ Tools you can use to identify your blind spots and make more conscious choices ☑️ How to leverage contrast and storytelling to engage and mobilize others Whether you’re on a journey of self-discovery or looking to enhance your level of leadership, this episode is packed with insights and strategies to guide you.

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Kristoffer Carter, CEO and founder of Epic Leadership, a training organization for conscious leadership, which has created a daily meditation practice for thousands. In addition to serving as CEO, Kristoffer is the author of "Permission to Glow— A Spiritual Guide to Epic Leadership", which guides his team’s coaching of Fortune 100 executive leaders at Amazon, AT&T, eXp Realty, Edward Jones, and many more. He is also a professional songwriter, TEDx speaker, and international retreat leader. Kristoffer lives in Akron, OH with his wife of 24 years and their three children. Tune in as Jessica and Kristoffer deep dive insights from his book, which explores how people relate to change, what we can do to improve our response to it, and how we can help others do the same by granting ourselves one of the 4 Permissions™, which include Permission to Chill, Permission to Feel all the Feels, Permission to Glow in the Dark, and Permission to Glow in the Light. Highlights from the conversation include: • The impact of stress on leaders and teams, and solutions to lower stress levels• The pitfalls of micromanagement and how to make more conscious leadership choices, and • The seven most powerful words in leadership and business If you would like to better understand your response to change in the workplace and how to improve your leadership style and approach, listen in, and be prepared to take notes – this episode is full of insights and ah-ha moments!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with John Saunders, the bestselling author of “The Optimizer: Building and Leading a Team of Serial Innovators”. Previously, John spent over 20 years as a Wall Street SVP, sales team leader, and award-winning sales executive. Today, he is an executive coach, author, and podcast host, and is a regular guest on podcasts. He has spoken at international conferences and Universities including Georgetown (GU) & Columbia. He is a regular contributor to the GU Executive MBA mentorship program, is an active angel investor, and was a member of the GU MBA Alumni Advisory Council. Tune in as Jessica and John discuss the power of storytelling and how stories build trust, develop buy-in, and accelerate organizational change.   Capturing the hearts and minds of busy stakeholders is paramount during change and transformation. To cut through the noise, John explains that leaders need to follow a formula to create a cohesive story, but first they need to be clear on why they do what they do – their mission and vision. To help clients find clarity, John will often ask, “Who would win from participating in this story, or using your product or service?” Once you get clarity on those things, says John, leaders can start to identify the stories that help people buy-in.   Highlights from the conversation include: The importance of getting out of your comfort zone and learning new skills; How storytelling can help impacted stakeholders overcome fear, loss, shame, and uncertainty that is common during organizational change; and, The value of following a formula to create a structured story that resonates. If you would like to leverage storytelling to build trust, deepen relationships, and increase your level of influence in the workplace – do not miss this powerful episode!     ☑️ To find John online, go to: https://www.johncsaunders.com/ ☑️ To follow John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcs-optimizer/ ☑️To download the STICK formula worksheet: https://www.johncsaunders.com/storytelling 

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Jodi Brandstetter, the bestselling author of “Hire by Design” and “HR by Design”, HR and design thinking speaker, and brand positioning coach about the value of design thinking when preparing and planning for change. About Jodi: Jodi Brandstetter is a seasoned brand positioning expert specializing in human design and design thinking, dedicated to empowering business consultants who want to define their business based on their uniqueness. With two decades of business experience and certifications in design thinking and human design, Jodi stands out by offering tailored strategies that help consultants authentically connect with their ideal customers. Tune in as Jessica and Jodi discuss what design thinking is, why it’s helpful, and how change leaders can leverage the principles to develop human-centric change strategies and plans that empower people to power organizational change. Highlights from the conversation include: Why failure can be positive, and how failing forward is the key to sustainable growth How design thinking can help change leaders create positive experiences for impacted stakeholders and teams Why empathy matters and how change leaders can leverage this human skill to deepen their understanding of stakeholder needs, opportunities, and concerns If you are curious about design thinking and want practical, actionable tips you can immediately implement with your team and organization, tune in and listen to what Jodi has to say!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Jessica Crow speaks with Douglas Scherer, keynote speaker, facilitator, and bestselling author of “F.O.R.G.E.D.: Six Practices of Great Leaders in Volatile Times”, about the impact of practicing mindfulness and compassion in change management, leadership, and for human thriving. Douglas is dedicated to liberating individuals and organizations into thriving life and work. As a keynote speaker, facilitator, and author he believes in fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and collaboration. He integrates his background of mindfulness, reflective learning, and leadership into a holistic approach that addresses the needs of the whole person and organization. Dr. Scherer is also a professor at Columbia University, where he teaches masters degree courses on strategic thinking, leadership, and fostering innovation. Tune in as Jessica and Douglas discuss several of the key principles outlined in his book, which illuminates Douglas’ passion for empowering individuals through conscious leadership. Highlights from the conversation include: How compassion creates unity, builds community, and fosters positive changeEmbracing mindfulness practices to improve stakeholder engagement and readinessWhat intuition is, and how to leverage it during high pressure situationsIf you are ready to go on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation to unlock your team's full potential, do not miss this episode!

In the first episode of 2024, Apogy founder and Change Leader Insights podcast host Jessica Crow speaks with – wait for it - Jessica Crow! No, we haven’t entered the multiverse. This Jessica is the founder and CEO of CNTRD Wellness, a meditation and mindfulness training company for seekers and teachers across the globe. Jessica is a mind-body expert with 20 plus years of experience helping individuals and organizations around the world nurture their wellbeing using meditation, stress-reduction, and mindfulness practices. Her company, CNTRD Wellness, believes that virtual wellbeing is essential to creating better health, inside and out. Jessica is also the author of ‘The Power of Guided Meditation’ (Fair Winds Press 2021) and the creator of the CNTRD Online Meditation Teacher Training. Being an effective change leader starts with a strong foundation of self-leadership. Tune in and listen as Jessica and Jessica discuss the benefits of meditation and mindfulness on a personal and professional level. Highlights from the conversation include: The power of meditation in facilitating lasting behavior change How continual learning can lead to self-discovery and career growth Tips on how to develop self-awareness, reduce reactivity, and lead with influence If you are ready for change and want to take your life and career to the next level, then you do not want to miss this episode!

In this episode, Apogy founder Jessica Crow speaks with Robert Snyder, founder, and president of Innovation Elegance. Robert’s thirty-year career spans roles such as developer, project management, change management, sales enablement, and the performing arts. He also is the author of two soon-to-be-published books, “Innovation Elegance: Transcending Agile with Ruthlessness and Grace (2023) and “Innovation Portfolio: Five Verbs to Shape Your Team’s Legacy” (2024).   Robert and Jessica spend time discussing his upcoming book and Elegance methodology for innovation success, what’s “wrong” with Agile and Hybrid methodologies, and the “five verbs” project leaders can follow to improve outcomes and create an environment where people and innovation thrive. Robert also shares how his experience in the performing arts helped inform the recommendations and insights included in the book, from learning how to deal with rejection, the importance of preparation, and the value of deep listening. If you’re ready for a novel approach to project, change, and innovation excellence, do not miss this episode!   

In this episode, Apogy founder and Change Leader Insights host Jessica Crow speaks with Tiffany Bray, Vice President of Health Systems at Path, a teletherapy company that was recently named one of 2023’s top startups on LinkedIn.Tiffany is a results and mission-driven executive with over 20 years of experience in multiple healthcare sectors. Her work with payers, providers, and medical device manufacturers has led to innovative value-based care programs with win-win outcomes. Tiffany is known for her ability to translate complex business strategies to actionable deliverables, including strategy development, project leadership, process improvement, change management, and clinical care delivery innovation.In this conversation, Jessica and Tiffany discuss the challenges and opportunities of enacting change in the healthcare space, and specifically mental health. Tiffany explains why mental health awareness and services are more important now than ever before, especially for children and teens, and how technology is making mental healthcare more accessible, affordable, and available to consumers.As with any transformative change initiative, Tiffany shares the importance of understanding who your key stakeholders are, how they would react to the change, and why thoughtful planning is the key to avoiding pitfalls and overcoming barriers.Be sure to tune into this month’s episode to learn what it’s like to be a change leader at an innovative healthcare company – you will be glad you did!

Insights host Jessica Crow speaks with Kimberly Eubanks, a certified change management professional and organizational effectiveness leader at VF Corporation. As a leadership coach, thought partner, and experienced executive, Kimberly brings the full breadth of her more than 20 years of professional experience into every interaction. Keen on effectiveness and engaging people where they are, she leverages process and connection synchronously to result in a leadership style that resonates with leaders and contributors at every level. During this thought-provoking and highly informative conversation, Kimberly shares what it’s like to lead change and transformation for a global organization. She explains the importance of being an agile leader; how to meet employees “where they are at” to inspire action; and gives several examples on how change leaders can create adaptive, measurable, and change-ready environments that fulfill both the business and employee needs. If you’ve ever wondered how leaders at the most innovative and forward-thinking companies maintain organizational agility and achieve sustainable results, do not miss this episode!

In this special episode, Apogy founder and principal consultant Jessica Crow expands on her recent blog article, Finding Joy in the Process of Change. Jessica started Apogy in 2019 with a vision to create a training and consulting firm that empowered people to grow in their careers and enabled organizations to improve strategy execution and the employee experience with change. While the firm is thriving, Jessica discusses the need to make changes that will enable Apogy to stay competitive and offer value to clients. The challenge? Making these necessary changes won’t be easy, and that makes them easy to want to avoid. To overcome her resistance, Jessica explains how to find joy in the process, make progress, and experience positive change. If you need to make a change at work or in your personal life but are avoiding taking the first step, be sure to listen in and hear what Jessica has to say!

In this episode, Apogy founder Jessica Crow speaks with April and Wil Jackson, both of whom participated in Apogy’s online Change Management Training and Certification Program, which included coaching with Jessica.  April and Wil, who both retired from the U.S. Air Force after more than 20 years of service, have certifications in change management as well as project management. They are active members of the Project Management Institute’s Pikes Peak Regional Chapter, where April also serves on the board. Currently, Wil is the director of contracts for Boecore, LLC, an aerospace and defense engineering company that specializes in software solutions, systems engineering, cybersecurity, enterprise networks, and mission operations. April is a program analyst for Dynetics, a Leidos Company, where she provides program management and logistical support to the U.S. Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command’s 1st Space Brigade. During this fun and impactful conversation, April and Wil discuss their motivation to get change management training and how the experience gave them not only a solid foundation in the practice, but also resulted in several powerful mindset shifts that led to positive changes at work and within their professional communities. Other highlights from the conversation include: Learning how change management is not a linear process; How to connect with others so they are more open and willing to change; Why you should not let “good get in the way of great” if you want to make progress; and, How being a good leader of others starts with being a good leader of yourself. If you are curious about change management training, want to be a better leader at work, or want to experience more on-the-job fulfillment - do not miss this episode!

In this episode, Apogy founder Jessica Crow speaks with Professor Julie Hodges, Durham University Business School. Julie is a leading expert on change in organizations, particularly the role and impact of people during transformations.  Before entering the academic world, Julie worked as a business consultant for over 20 years in several profit and non-profit organizations, including PwC, Vertex, and the British Council. Julie is also the author of several books, including Consultancy, Organizational Development and Change, Managing and Leading People through Change; and Sustaining Change in Organizations. During this highly informative conversation, Jessica and Julie discuss her upcoming book and some of the insights she’ll be sharing in it, including the impact of technology and AI on the workforce, why practitioners need to move way from linear change management models, the role of middle managers in organizational change, and the skills that can enhance change leader effectiveness in the modern, distributed workplace. If you lead, design, or study organizational change, be sure to tune in and learn from one of the top leaders and influencers in change management in the world today!

In this episode, Apogy founder Jessica Crow speaks with Lesley Mattson, Vice President, Peloton Consulting Group. Lesley specializes in facilitating successful digital transformation programs within organizations by aligning and preparing employees for process, technology, and organizational changes. As the head of Peloton's Enterprise Change Management practice, she serves as a vital link between functional and technical resources, ensuring smooth implementations that meet current requirements while allowing for future scalability. Tune in and listen as Jessica and Lesley discuss change management trends and opportunities related to digital transformations, including when to include change management in the project, how to leverage change agent networks to accelerate change adoption, common client fears and concerns, the importance of empathy during technology change, and communication tips and best practices. If you lead or support technology implementations, be sure to check out this conversation and learn from a top leader in the change management industry!

In this episode, Apogy founder Jessica Crow speaks with change management expert Douglas Flory. Douglas is an executive consultant, coach, and speaker with a passion for helping organizations improve the way change works. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Association of Change Mangement Professionals (ACMP Global), which is an industry group committed to advancing the profession and discipline of change management. In this interview, Jessica and Douglas discuss the value of developing change management skills no matter what your current role is, and how to think about the concept of change fatigue versus change resilience. If you've ever wondered what you can do to improve the resiliency of your organization through effective change leadership - be sure to tune in and hear what Douglas has to say. You'll be glad you did!

In this episode, Apogy founder Jessica Crow speaks with Anthony Casablanca, author, speaker, and accomplished senior executive. Anthony spent most of his leadership career in the funeral services industry, including for Batesville Casket Company. He later went on to become president of another subsidiary of the Hillenbrand family of companies, from which he later retired. Over his career, Anthony successfully led cultural and transformational change initiatives. Through these experiences, Anthony learned about the emotional impact change has on people, and what leadership and cultural elements need to be in place to ensure change efforts are successful. In 2019, Anthony and his brother Guy, a dually licensed funeral director, co-authored “The Dying Art of Leadership” and launched their leadership training company, GriefLeaders™, to help organizations identify the “elephant in the room of change” and change how change is implemented.  If you are curious about the impact of grief and loss on organizational change, be sure to check out this conversation between Jessica and Anthony!

In this episode of Change Leader Insights, Apogy founder Jessica Crow speaks with Michelle Yanahan, Principal and Owner of ChangeFit 360. Michelle is a passionate organizational change management facilitator, strategist, and thought leader with proven expertise in executing change programs that grow organizational change management as a strategic business competency. Michelle and Jessica discuss the topic of human-centric change, why it is more important than ever before, and what it means for leaders who are responsible for guiding people and teams through organizational changes. If you are ready to lead with more confidence, clarity, and compassion, this is an episode you don't want to miss!