In this conversation, Lisa Blanchet discusses the concept of change stories and their importance in facilitating organizational change. She emphasizes the need for imagination and creativity in leadership, the time investment required for effective change management, and the significance of a mindful introduction to change. Lisa highlights the emotional journey employees experience during change and the core skills necessary for successful change management, including empathy and communication. She advocates for a people-centric approach that prioritizes the human experience and shares her personal influences that shape her work in change management.

Ready to connect with our guest?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisablanchet/

Takeaways

Change stories engage and connect people to the change process.

Imagination allows leaders to explore possibilities beyond the immediate change.

The introduction of change must be thoughtful and clear to be effective.

Change management is a gradual process that requires time and patience.

Understanding the mechanics of change is crucial for leaders at all levels.

A people-centric approach ensures that the human experience is prioritized during change.

Creating space for leaders to process change is essential for effective leadership.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Change Stories
03:14 The Role of Imagination in Change Management
06:09 Time Investment in Change Management
09:27 Mindful Introduction to Change
12:54 The Emotional Journey of Change
16:01 Core Skills in Change Management
19:01 People-Centric Change Management
22:59 Personal Influences on Change Management

Meet our guest:

Dr. Lynn Kelley has carved a path marked by executive leadership roles in manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, transportation and continuous improvement across diverse industries at a global scale. Lynn served as Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Continuous Improvement at Union Pacific Railroad, and now serves as a Senior Advisor to BBH Capital Partners, where her expertise helps fuel the firm's investment endeavors.

Before her tenure at Union Pacific, Lynn held the position of Vice President of Operational Excellence at Textron, earning her a seat at the executive leadership table. Armed with a PhD in evaluation and research, Lynn also taught university-level statistics courses. Prior to her foray into academia, Lynn served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Doctors Hospital.

Throughout her career, Lynn has forged a trail of achievement by expertly guiding organizations through change management initiatives. Lynn's practical methodologies have consistently delivered operational excellence that engages employees and surpasses customer expectations. Lynn is a sought out international speaker and wrote the Amazon best-selling book, Change Questions with John Shook, which describes their proven change management process.

In this episode:

Dr. Lynn Kelley discusses the importance of effective change management and shares insights from her book and website, Change Questions. She emphasizes the need for thoughtful planning and communication in order to successfully navigate change. Dr. Kelley also addresses the challenges of change fatigue and the impact of the pandemic on our perception of change. She highlights the role of leadership and communication in driving successful change initiatives and offers practical strategies for sustaining change. Additionally, she discusses the value of curiosity and research in understanding and implementing change.

Connect with our guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnkelleychange/

In this conversation, Tricia speaks with Luthern Williams, a futurist and school leader, about the role of creativity and the arts in reimagining education. They discuss the importance of imagination and the need to move away from the factory-age industrial model of education. Luthern shares the story of a school that was intentionally created to be different and emphasizes the importance of preparing students to live together and work towards the common good.

Takeaways

Creativity and the arts are essential for imagining what education can be and moving away from the factory-age industrial model.

Integrated and equitable schools create dynamic and exciting learning environments where children can thrive.

Teachers need to do their own internal work to create a positive culture and climate in the classroom.

Connect with our Guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/luthern-williams-64a39ba/

Check out the free guide Tricia mentioned at the start of the episode:

https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/your-free-shifting-schools-guide-more-generative-collaboration-in-2025/