185. Invisible Sinkholes: The Hidden Culture Risks You Can’t Afford to Ignore with Natasha Todorovic

Invisible Sinkholes: The Hidden Culture Risks You Can’t Afford to Ignore with Natasha Todorovic

Research shows that nearly 70% of organizational change efforts fail. However, according to Dr. Natasha Todorovic-Cowan, the deeper reason is rarely a strategy; it’s the hidden cultural dynamics that leaders often overlook.

In this episode of the Sacred Changemakers Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Natasha Todorovic-Cowan, CEO of NVC Consulting, co-founder of Spiral Dynamics®, and author of Making Change Work. For over 25 years, Natasha has guided global leaders in decoding complexity and navigating disruption. Using her validated Spiral Dynamics® diagnostics, her clients have achieved extraordinary outcomes, including 150–200% gains in leadership capacity, measurable increases in innovation, and accelerated change-readiness milestones.

Together, we uncover the “invisible sinkholes” that sabotage culture, explore why most change efforts fall short, and look at how decoding our shared human patterns unlocks resilience and trust. Natasha shares her personal journey into the world of Spiral Dynamics, the groundbreaking research of Dr. Clare W. Graves, and why emotional intelligence and curiosity matter more than ever in times of change.

This episode is packed with both wisdom and practical tools for leaders, coaches, and changemakers who want to build cultures that thrive in disruption and avoid the hidden risks that quietly erode their impact.

Key Takeaways

• What “invisible sinkholes” in culture are—and how to recognize them early.
• Why most change efforts fail, and the human dynamics leaders often overlook.
• How Spiral Dynamics® helps decode complexity and guide sustainable transformation.
• The critical role of emotional intelligence and curiosity in leadership.
• Practical steps leaders and changemakers can take today to strengthen resilience.

Tune in now to learn how to uncover the hidden culture risks you can’t afford to ignore.

Learn More About Today’s Guest

• Spiral Dynamics website ****→ https://spiraldynamics.org
• Natasha’s book, Making Change Work → https://books.spiraldynamics.org/makingchangework
• Natasha on Linkedin → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-natasha-todorovic-cowan-mba-a5470719/

Explore Sacred Changemakers:

• Start your journey → SacredChangemakers.com
• Discover Your Resonance Code → quiz.SacredChangemakers.com
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• Subscribe to The Coaching (R)evolution Newsletter → https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-coaching-r-evolution-7371571227230101504/

Books by Jayne Warrilow:

• ‘Becoming: Poems From The Thresholds Of Change’ → https://amzn.to/42DM1WI
• ‘Beyond Profit: The Sacred Changemaker’s Guide To Reimagining Business And Leading Regenerative Change →