Advertise on podcast: Change It

On this episode of the Change It Podcast, Eloise, founder of Change It Talent, the leading change recruitment agency, sits down with Dr Dani Chesson, author of Unstuckified, host of the Design Thinker Podcast, and a transformation practitioner who started her career as a graphic designer.  Dani spent her early career inside banking transformation, watching change fail and seeing it through a designer's eyes. That led to a PhD, years of testing ideas with real clients, and one question: what if change management is actually a design problem?  Her research found organisations everywhere caught in the same perfect storm. Our brains haven't evolved at the pace of technology. Our organisations are still built like factories. And the world is now both VUCA and BANI. In this conversation, she explains how to get unstuck.  In this episode we cover:  The three forces that keep organisations "stuckified", and why there's no single root cause  Why a plan makes our brains feel in control, and why that's an illusion  How to give regulators the plan they need while designing for real human behaviour  Dani's four moves: a courageous vision, tiny steps that build momentum, alleviating pain, and activating learning inside the work  "Survival adoption", and why AI is an identity threat leaders need to talk about  How to use AI as a thought partner by getting it to play your stakeholders  If you're a change practitioner who suspects your beloved frameworks are starting to creak, this conversation offers a fresh, practical and very human lens.  Links: www.changeittalent.com Unstuckified by Dr Dani Chesson: https://www.unstuckifyed.com/Dani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danichessonphd/The Design Thinker Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2128420

On this episode of the Change It Podcast, Eloise, founder of Change It Talent, the leading change recruitment agency, sits down with Melanie Franklin, an internationally recognised change management author and researcher whose Global Capability for Change Survey has tracked the state of the profession for five years running. Mel has spent years watching how organisations actually deliver change, and right now she's watching the ground shift under the profession itself. AI has cracked change wide open: individuals and teams are experimenting and innovating without any formal change mandate, "forward deployed engineers" are moving fast on systems and data with no interest in people or process, and centralised change functions are being disbanded in favour of leaner, embedded teams.There's a shift Mel says the profession can't afford to ignore: change management's own value is in decline, and the old linear playbook wasn't built for a world where change is happening everywhere, all the time. In this conversation, she explains why.In this episode we cover: Why AI-driven, bottom-up change is bypassing change management entirely - and what that means for the professionWhat "forward deployed engineers" are, and why they're reshaping in-the-moment tech change without touching people or processWhy linear change models are struggling to keep up with democratised, simultaneous changeWhy centralised CMOs are being disbanded in Australia, and what's replacing the "head of change" roleWhy curiosity - not process - is becoming the change capability leaders are hiring forA preview of Mel's fifth annual Global Capability for Change Survey, and how the data can help you evidence the value of changeIf you're a change professional wondering where you fit in an AI-driven, bottom-up world, this conversation is a sharp, honest read on what's coming next. Links: www.changeittalent.com Links to the Global Annual Change Survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Zpzu8-b71Uab-fA16wsoHOcxMuQTBRFAtKszA2hk_3pUNDIzRjhKOVFRSkM5Q1dLUUNYSUZIWFNQVS4u&route=shorturl Mel Franklin's Website: https://capabilityforchange.com/

On this episode of the Change It Podcast, Eloise, founder of Change It Talent, the leading change recruitment agency, sits down with Tamsin Jones, a systems change and leadership consultant who has spent 25 years in the rooms where big change actually happens, government strategy sessions, boardrooms, leadership programs and funded convenings across Australia, the UK and Africa. Tamsin runs the Master of Business and Empathy and co-founded a gender lens investing network with Australians Investing in Women, and she's spent the last four years helping leaders navigate what she calls the next economy. There's a word CEOs and boards use quietly, if they use it at all: emergence. Tamsin says it might be the most underrated leadership skill of this moment, and in this conversation she explains why. In this episode we cover: What emergence actually is, and why the C-suite is talking about it without naming it out loudWhy command and control leadership is an illusion, and what that means once AI enters the pictureWhy "not knowing" can be a leadership strength rather than a weaknessWhy grief is part of navigating change, and what happens when leaders skip itHow empathy is showing up in boardrooms, government strategy and AI adoptionWhat Tamsin learned from Taiwan's former digital minister Audrey Tang about trust and participation If you're a leader feeling some cognitive dissonance about where things are headed, this conversation will feel like a very honest debrief. Links: www.tamsinjones.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsinjones/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij2UtkjFtRc

Stefan Norval has spent over twenty years inside large, messy organisations doing org design, business architecture and process excellence — and he's tired of the theatrics. In this episode, we get into why he refuses to use the term "change resistance," and why he treats it instead as a rational response to bad structural design. Stefan walks through his run-serve-change model the three fundamentally different types of work every organisation is doing simultaneously, and why collapsing them into "just work" is where things start to break. From there we unpack the confusion tax which is his term for the hidden financial and human cost of running an organisation that isn't designed to carry its own structural load. Think escalation loops, duplicated analysis, governance forums that exist purely for show, and the shadow work people quietly absorb to stop things falling over. We also cover the blocker and the ironist the two roles people get pushed into inside incoherent organisations, and why it's structural, not personality plus why good change management should be invisible, and what it actually takes to stress-test a new operating model before you find out under pressure that it doesn't hold. Stefan closes out with his See, Shape, Grow model and where to find his confusion tax diagnostic if you want to score your own organisation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefannorrvall/ https://scorecard.synexia.au/confusion-tax www.changeittalent.com

Stop Optimising. Start Humanising. The Capabilities We Need in an AI World AI is accelerating. Change is constant. And everywhere we look, we’re being told to optimise, automate and become more productive. But what if the capabilities we need most in the future aren’t technical at all? In this episode of the Change It Podcast, I’m joined by Dara Simkin, globally recognised play-at-work expert and co-author of Full Stack Human, to explore what it means to stay human in an increasingly automated world. Dara shares why we may be misdiagnosing resistance to change, and why many people are actually experiencing anticipatory grief for a future they can sense but cannot yet see. Together, we explore the human capabilities that will help us not just survive change, but thrive through it: • Why play is a serious capability, not a distraction• How curiosity unlocks better thinking and innovation• Why intelligent optimism matters in a world full of uncertainty• How we build strategic hope and agency during disruption• Why adaptability starts with understanding ourselves For change leaders and transformation professionals, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the future of work will not just be shaped by what technology can do. It will be shaped by how well humans can connect, create, question, adapt and evolve. Because perhaps the answer isn’t becoming more machine-like. Perhaps it’s becoming more human. In this episode: — The emotional side of AI: are we resisting change or grieving it?— Why compassion and understanding ourselves matters in times of uncertainty— Play as the antidote to optimisation and overwhelm— Bringing play into the workplace: permission, space and spark— The five human capabilities we need in an AI world— Radical curiosity, intelligent optimism and strategic hope— Embodied adaptability: moving from panic and perfection into play— What this means for change leaders and the future of transformation— Defining success differently and finding more ease in uncertainty Connect with Dara:Website: darasimkin.comLinkedIn: Dara SimkinBook: Full Stack Human: https://www.amazon.com.au/Full-Stack-Human-Mindset-Technology/dp/1394346255 Connect with Eloise:Founder of Change It Talent www.changeittalent.comHost of the Change It Podcast

On this Episode of the Change it Podcast, Eloise Seidelin interviews Sean Haywood, founder of Humano PX, to show you what's actually possible when you bring real expertise to the table. Think about the problems that have been bugging you for years. The impact assessments that take months and go out of date the moment something shifts. The 25 different org charts that never quite match. Presenting the same strategy to three different executives and hoping it lands. Sean has been solving all of that in real time, with AI and the results are seriously impressive. This episode gets practical fast: (01:07) Why starting with a clear objective is everything — and how to set one(02:59) Consultant vs coach prompts — and why the difference is a game changer(04:34) Performance review prompts that gather context instead of churning out generic responses(06:14) Building a coaching persona that actually reflects how your leaders think and lead(08:52) Creating an org blueprint as a single source of truth for all your AI-supported change work(13:37) Roadmaps and live org profiles built from real engagement data and meeting insights(19:19) The agentic change engine — real-time impact assessments and strategy at scale(25:39) How much time this actually takes (and what's worth the investment)(27:10) Where to start if you're not sure where to begin This isn't about replacing your judgement. It's about making it faster, sharper, and a lot more scalable. If you've been waiting for someone to cut through the AI hype and show you where the real value is — this is the one. www.changeittalent.com https://humanopx.com/

The Tools of Negotiating: The Most Valuable Skill You Were Never Taught Nobody teaches us to negotiate. There's no class, no practice run the only time most of us do it is right in the thick of it, in the moment, underprepared and expected to deliver. In this episode, Eloise from Change It Talent sits down with Nan Gesche communications and negotiation educator, team coach, and author of Ladies, Let's Negotiate: Go from Fear to Fair and this one is here for you. In this episode: Why women are so often discouraged from negotiating for themselvesHow workplace bias and the "double bind" show up in the feedback women receiveThe negotiation frameworks Nan has spent years teaching and how to put them to workWhy preparation is where negotiations are won or lostHow to handle a "no" and what to do nextThe power of practising negotiation in everyday lifeWhy the conversation doesn't end when the meeting doesCome away with a completely different relationship with negotiation at work, at home, and everywhere in between. https://www.amazon.com.au/Ladies-Lets-Negotiate-Fear-Fair/dp/1634898443/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 https://nangesche.com/about-nan/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nangesche/ www.changeittalent.com

If you've ever thought about going out on your own, this episode is worth your time. Eloise sits down with Kate Murray, organisational psychologist, change management specialist, and founder of Change Ofi, to talk about what it actually takes to build a consulting business from the ground up. Kate went solo four years ago after leaving a high-pressure consulting role, and she's refreshingly honest about how she did it, what she got wrong, and what she'd tell anyone thinking about making the leap. In this episode we cover: Why Kate went solo and what drove the decisionThe difference between outcome-based consulting and day-rate contractingHow she landed her first clients through reputation, not a sales pitchShaping your offer around what clients actually needHaving a financial buffer and how to think about sellingPricing strategy, including how to use AI and market research to set your ratesThe role of relationships and repeat work in building something sustainableHard lessons from running a people-based business, hiring, admin, and the restManaging the highs and lows, and why your support network matters more than you thinkHer honest advice for anyone thinking about making the moveReal talk. No fluff. Just practical insight from someone who's done it. Links: Connect with Kate: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-murray-1a543125/ www.changeittalent.com

What does high performance actually look like today? In a world where priorities shift quickly and certainty is rare, performance is no longer about control—it’s about adaptability. In this episode of Change It, Eloise Seidelin is joined by Ro Gorrell to explore the concept of self-organising teams and why they are becoming essential in modern organisations. Together, they unpack what self-organising really means in practice, moving beyond theory to examine the structural and leadership shifts required to make it work. This conversation explores: Why adaptability is now at the core of high performanceWhat self-organising teams look like beyond the buzzwordThe tension between control and trust in organisationsThe role leaders play in enabling—or constraining—team autonomyThis is a grounded and honest discussion about what needs to change if organisations want teams that can truly respond, move, and perform in today’s environment. https://growtalentro.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogorell?originalSubdomain=au https://www.amazon.com.au/Coaching-Self-Organising-Teams-Helping-Flourish/dp/0367627450

In This Episode of Change It- Eloise Seidelin speaks to Guest Alison Earl. Overwhelm is real. But waiting for conditions to improve? That's a losing strategy. I'm joined by change and transformation specialist Alison Earl is a leading corporate advisor and behaviour change expert, who has spent her career helping organisations navigate the people side of change building leadership alignment, cultures of ownership, and genuine empowerment when complexity and pace show no signs of slowing. Alison introduces her four states of mind framework a practical lens based on where your attention sits and how much agency you're exercising and why most people are operating further from the "responsible" state than they realise. We get into the CIA model, the danger of toxic positivity masquerading as resilience, and a compelling case study that used Alison's Betterment training to shift culture — and saw a 6% rise in engagement as a result. For leaders, Alison's advice is clear: start with yourself, coach rather than rescue, and keep the focus on contribution. A practical, grounded conversation for anyone leading people through uncertainty. https://www.alisonearl.com/

AI. Restructures. Burnout. Poor tech ROI. Reputation risk. Organisations are overwhelmed. In this episode of Change It, Eloise returns with a new series focused on staying relevant in change, transformation and organisation design amid accelerating AI adoption and relentless restructures. She’s joined by Catia Davim and Amy O’Donohue, Chief Big Believer and Chief Empowerment Officer of Simplify Co. Together, they explore: Why organisations feel stuck in fatigue and fear Why AI investments are underdelivering The reputational cost of poorly managed restructures Why leaders need stronger organisation design capability The risk of adopting new technology without redesigning work How HR can step into the role of OD coach Why slowing down can actually accelerate outcomes They argue the real issue isn’t change fatigue it’s redesign avoidance. AI won’t fix broken operating models.Restructures won’t fix unclear strategy.And tech won’t deliver ROI if the work itself hasn’t been rethought. The opportunity?Use AI to remove low-value admin.Reinvolve the people who do the work.Redesign for growth not scarcity. This episode is for leaders, HR professionals, org design specialists and change practitioners who want to rethink how work gets done. https://simplifyco.com.au/ https://events.humanitix.com/mastering-organisational-design-masterclass

Unforgettable Online: Nissi Ozigbu’s Guide to Building Your Digital Presence In this episode, I sit down with Nissi Ozigbu, who has become an omnipresent voice in change, to unpack how she built her online presence with intention. From TikTok beginnings to becoming a standout on LinkedIn, Nissi shares the realities the wins, the failures, the fears and the strategies that helped her create a brand that delivers real opportunities. What’s covered in this episode: How Nissi first found her voice Overcoming fears and failures while building confidence online Her strategic pivot from TikTok to LinkedIn Working with the algorithms and setting herself up to win each week Securing five-figure deals and building a healthy pipeline of work Staying consistent and authentic when building your brand This conversation is generous, honest, and fun — Nissi’s energy lifted me on a rainy Sydney day, and I know it will do the same for you. Timestamps00:00 Introduction and host’s reflections00:58 Welcome to the Change It Podcast02:10 Meet Nissi Ozigbu: Building an authentic voice online04:32 Starting out on TikTok: overcoming fears and finding her style09:15 Transitioning to LinkedIn: strategies that work15:27 Working with the algorithms (and setting yourself up each week)20:48 Wins, failures, and lessons learned26:02 Building consistency and staying authentic30:12 Advice for change professionals building their brand34:10 Closing reflections and golden nugget

In this episode of Change It, I’m joined by Hilary Scarlett leading workplace neuroscience expert and author of the just-released third edition of Neuroscience for Organizational Change. We explore how advances in neuroscience are changing the way we think about leadership, communication, and cognitive overload in today’s world of work. We cover: Inter-brain synchronisation and what it means for teams The neuroscience of psychological safety The rising conversation around neurodivergence What technology is helping us now understand about the brain Mental energy, YOU have a limit to how long you can work for effectively in a day- Hilary unveils. Burnout, and the Leadership responseHow to translate brain science into change strategy that lands It’s a rich, human conversation and a timely one. 📢 A personal update: This is also a very special episode of Scarlett's for me. I share the news of our baby girl Scarlet’s arrival. Thank you for bearing with the slower release schedule, I’m back and couldn’t think of a better way to return. 🎁 Listener bonus: Hilary has kindly offered a 25% discount for Change It listeners details at the end of the episode. 🔗 Links: 📘 Neuroscience for Organizational Change – Third Edition Get 25% off at www.koganpage.com/NFOC3 using code AEHR25

Change with a Conscience: Ethics, Red Flags & Real Talk with Myah Rom & Gilbert Kruidenier In this very human episode of the Change It podcast, I sit down with change practitioners Myah Rom and Gilbert Kruidenier to talk about something we don’t explore nearly enough ethics in change. We unpack the tricky dual loyalties between business outcomes and employee wellbeing, share personal stories from the field, and reflect on those uncomfortable moments where doing the right thing isn’t always the easiest thing. From the misuse of behavioural science to the subtle red flags we brush past, this conversation shines a light on the real work of navigating change with integrity. We cover:🔹 The ethics of influence, power, and behavioural nudges🔹 What psychosocial safety legislation means for change🔹 When to raise a red flag (and how to do it with grace)🔹 How AI and tech challenge ethical boundaries🔹 Why listening, not persuading, is the ultimate leadership skill This isn’t about perfection; it’s about being present, curious, and honest in the face of complexity. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kruidenierconsulting?originalSubdomain=au https://www.linkedin.com/in/myah-rom-285b5426?originalSubdomain=au https://www.amazon.com.au/Bad-Change-doesnt-things-better/dp/B0B1BL78GV

In this episode of the Change It Podcast, I welcome back the brilliant Edwina Pike whose last episode remains one of our most listened to and loved. And she’s back with a bang. We tackle the uncomfortable, often unspoken truth: leaders get the outcomes they deserve. At a time when change practitioners are being told that sponsorship and leadership alignment are the deciding factors of success, this episode is for anyone leading change, working alongside leaders, or feeling frustrated by the gap between intent and impact. Ed breaks down six powerful keys to leadership from what gets measured, to how leaders respond in a crisis, to the subtle cues of approval and disapproval and shows how each of these shapes team performance more than any slide deck or town hall ever could. With her signature mix of neuroscience, behavioural science, and straight-talking wisdom, Ed offers a practical playbook to elevate leadership capability and impact. No fluff. Just tools, truth, and transformation. In this episode:🔹 The six key behaviours that define effective leadership🔹 Why most leadership development is outdated—and what to do instead🔹 How to create a vivid, emotionally engaging vision for your team🔹 Why resource allocation is the ultimate indicator of priorities🔹 Practical tips for improving leadership presence and impact🔹 How change managers can better support (or challenge) leadership Whether you’re in the C-suite or coaching someone who is, this conversation is a must-listen. Links: https://www.irrationalchange.com/ https://www.irrationalchange.com/planner https://www.irrationalchange.com/listen/cmr-leaders-are-humans-first https://www.linkedin.com/posts/edwina-pike_irrationalchange-leadership-canyoufixit-activity-7303689695207575552-bGMv/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwina-pike/ https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/edwina-pike-im-here-for-your-success-not-your-comfort/id1553420644?i=1000645479382