About
In this episode, Ruth is joined by Kathryn Eade, Head of Strategic Change at the University of Salford and founder of the Female Leadership Collective. With over 20 years' experience in leading change and supporting growth, Kathryn Eade shares her insights on what really makes change possible within organizations. The conversation covers the realities of driving sustainable transformation, the human side of change, and the importance of fostering collaborative environments.
Key Topics Discussed- Seeing Change from the Inside vs. OutsideKathryn Eade describes how working internally reveals the complexities, histories, and unwritten rules that truly shape organizational change, often unseen by external consultants 02:49.Sustainability and Systemic ChangeThe importance of lasting impact and how real change is less about delivering projects and more about shaping systems and behaviors 05:00.Levers for Meaningful ChangeLeadership modeling and consistency are essentialChange is not announced, it's experienced through leaders' behaviors 07:31Small, incremental shifts ("stretching the elastic band") build momentum over timeManaging Expectations and PaceDemonstrating "quick wins" to maintain momentum 10:11Translating collaborative and behavioral work into language that resonates with results-focused leadersCulture: The "Soft" Hard StuffWhy culture and behaviors are strategic enablers, not “soft” extras 13:18The difference between living values and paying lip serviceInformal behaviors and cultures of psychological safety are what actually move organizations forward 15:34Psychological Safety & Candid ConversationsThe value of calling out hidden conversations and creating space for honest dialogue 19:01Building trust so challenging topics can be addressed openlyThe Emotional Journey of ChangeOrganizations often underestimate the feelings of loss and discomfort that accompany change 27:50Acknowledging and working through the "endings" is vital for healthy transitionsWhat Success in Change Feels LikeWhen people experience clarity, momentum, and shared ownership, change becomes part of everyday work 32:01Change fatigue is more often about poor prioritization than too much change
Practical Takeaways
- Sustainable change involves shaping systems, not just delivering projectsLeadership consistency and small, visible wins are crucialCreate intentional spaces for collaboration and reflectionMeasure and discuss the impact of "soft" skills in hard results termsBuild psychological safety for real, honest dialogueDon’t skip over the emotional journey or the importance of endingsJudge where to put your energy—not everyone will be convinced at the same pace
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