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/

In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of mindful leadership and its potential to humanize AI in education. As technology continues to reshape classrooms and learning environments, how can educators and leaders ensure AI remains a tool for connection, equity, and ethical progress? Join us as we explore actionable strategies for balancing innovation with humanity, drawing insights from the intersection of mindfulness practices, leadership, and generative AI. Whether you're an educator, school leader, or tech enthusiast, this conversation will inspire you to rethink how AI can enhance—not replace—the human touch in education.

Meet this week's incredible guest and connect with her on LinkedIN

In this conversation, Justin discusses his work at the intersection of AI, behavioral design, and education. He emphasizes the importance of understanding barriers to learning and how AI can support reasoning and decision-making. The discussion explores the differences between behavioral design and learning design, the role of scaffolding in education, and the potential of AI to make learning more accessible. Justin shares insights from his experiences with a nonprofit focused on digital skills and highlights the significance of creating conditions for effective learning outcomes. The conversation concludes with reflections on the future of education and the importance of imagination in learning.

Ready to learn more about Justin Germishuys?

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

https://germinotion.com/

Dr. Fran Prolman is an internationally recognized consultant specializing in educational leadership, school improvement and instructional strategies as well as communication skills, critical thinking and organizational development.

Fran is President of The Learning Collaborative and Vice President for Training for the Center for Arts in Basic Curriculum. She has authored 3 best selling books and keeps creating practical materials for immediate leadership use.

Fran earned her doctorate in teacher training and international education from George Washington University and a master’s degree in educational administration and curriculum and instruction from the University of Pennsylvania. She has been a two-time Fulbright Scholar in both India and Israel and has presented numerous papers and workshops nationally and internationally.

Fran brings 30 years of educational experience as a teacher, staff developer, administrator, graduate-level university instructor and published author. She has made frequent presentations at state, national, and international conferences including the United States Department of State, the Department of State AERO Curriculum Institute, the European Council of International Schools, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Learning Forward, the Central and Eastern European Schools Association, the Tri-Association, the Mediterranean Association of International Schools, the African International Schools Association and the Near East South Asia Association of International Schools.

Fran is blessed with two rock star adult children, Samantha and Gabriel, who are taking the world on with humor, heart and gusto.

Special guest Nawal Qarooni discuss the importance of rethinking language in education and the impact it has on students and families. They emphasize the need for educators to be mindful of the labels and categories they use to describe students and to seek feedback from trusted colleagues to ensure their language is inclusive and supportive. They also explore the role of self-work in understanding how our own self-conception and the words we use impact ourselves and others. Additionally, they discuss the need to expand the definition of literacy to include various forms of communication and expression, and the importance of play and experimentation in the writing process.

Learn more about our special guest:

https://nqcliteracy.org/media/

https://nqcliteracy.org/educator-resources/

Get a copy of her book:

https://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Caregiver-Collaborations-Experiences-Collective/dp/1625316194?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Catch her event on October 24th:

https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2024/10/24/caring-and-learning-how-families-shape-literacy-everyday-life?nref=612535

Want to give us feedback on the 1st half of season five?

www.unhingedcollaboration.com

tricia (at) shiftingschools.com

Sam Guzik, a futurist passionate about local news and AI, discusses the intersection of journalism and AI. He emphasizes the importance of thinking exponentially and acting incrementally when experimenting with AI in journalism. He shares an example of using AI to make public media more accessible through live transcription and summarization. The conversation also touches on the ethics of AI in journalism, the use of digital avatars in news reporting, and the role of scenario planning in futures foresight work. Sam highlights the need for creativity, diverse perspectives, and community engagement in futurist work.

Ready to connect with this week's guest?

Sam Guzik is a Senior Expert Advisor specializing in the future of news, content, distribution and strategy. His career includes a broad range of experience that includes product management, strategic foresight, scenario forecasting, audience engagement and leadership in legacy news organizations.

Sam leads the product strategy for New York Public Radio. Passionate about building a sustainable future for local news, Guzik has demonstrated results creating innovative, engaging and impactful journalism — and thinking about the business model to support that work. His career includes a broad range of experience, with specific focus on product management, strategic foresight, scenario writing, audience engagement and leadership in legacy news organizations.

Guzik is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and the NYU Stern School of Business.

https://futuretodayinstitute.com/team/sam-guzik/

Learn more about Kathleen and Tricia:

www.unhingedcollaboration.com

Join the Future Foresight Group referenced at the top of the episode!

https://app.glueup.com/event/aaie-leadership-learning-series-co-creating-future-foresight-skills-122479/