In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Louise Zawada, an executive coach and transformation consultant.
Lou has 20 years of broad sector experience and has helped organisations humanise the complexities of transformations through mergers & acquisitions, divestments and major property events. Transformation A.K.A Change is something that we all will face at some time in our lives - personally & professionally - intentionally embarked upon and, at times, thrust upon us without notice. We were excited to have Lou in the studio to explore the topic of Why Change?
Our conversation discusses the often overlooked challenges that arise with change, the various human responses, and the benefits of external perspectives. Lou highlights our natural tendency to stay where we feel comfortable, what it takes to help move someone, or an organisation, from point A to point Z, and the risk of limited leadership bandwidth when making change.
Lou is known for being the ‘calm in the chaos’ and we believe this is because she has a core belief that change happens at the speed of trust. “If trust is prioritised in every interaction, then the way people feel and see change will be more positive”.
This episode touches on:
Change can be chaotic and messy, but the importance for the process always being human-centred.
Why time needs to be spent on the hard-to-define ‘end-game’ and application of fairness in setting standards and expectations stakeholder wide.
How the human brain looks for threat and reward, and what may seem practical and obvious to some is foreign to others.
How transformation resistance can be from a positive place of care and deep interest.
Not everything needing to change, and how we need should get clear on the things that are wonderful and need preserving.
The ‘unseen’ work that hides behind transformation that makes it ‘just work’
Why and when a change specialist or coach may be needed for diagnosis, value creation and support.
We hope you enjoy.
Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why?
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