Leading Change Conversations By cover art

Leading Change Conversations

By: Ulrike Seminati
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Welcome to “Leading Change Conversations”, THE unique podcast where we explore real-life situations with leaders like you, helping you conquer organizational change challenges. In every episode, we take a deep dive into a specific case study, sharing practical tips and strategies along the way. Our mission is simple: to arm you and your team with actionable roadmaps that make implementing these lessons at work a breeze, all while helping you achieve your goals with ease and joy.
    2023 Empowerel GmbH
    Show more Show less
Episodes
  • Applying start-up agility principles to your corporate environment

    Applying start-up agility principles to your corporate environment
    Jun 11 2024
    In this episode, Ulrike and her guest, Poorya Amini, delve into the complexities of managing a start-up's agility and how these insights can be applied to handling change and instability in your organization. Tune in to hear Ulrike and Poorya's full conversation and learn how to apply start-up agility principles to your corporate environment.Key Insights:Flexibility Over Rigidity:Keeping the initial idea in mind is important, but sticking to it at all costs won't yield the best results.Stay flexible and be willing to pivot to bring more promising ideas to life.Embracing Trial and Error:Expect pushback on your proposals; it’s a normal part of developing or delivering the best product or work.Mentally prepare yourself and your team to understand that pushback is not a personal attack.Redefining Success:In a volatile environment, demands change regularly. Thus, success should be redefined.Understand that success is the journey itself; learning from errors is a form of success.Valuing Negative Feedback:Treat negative feedback as a valuable asset.Use the perspectives and experiences shared by others to grow yourself and improve your product.Adaptive Communication:Tailor your communication to fit the personalities of your team members.Recognize who needs more background information or data to feel secure enough to embrace change.Small Team Dynamics in Larger Organizations:Even if you lead a large team, focus on your direct reports as if they were a small team.Communicate openly, frequently, and authentically with them to leverage their multiplier effect.Encouraging Open Dialogue:Admit when you are wrong and encourage your team to speak up and challenge your ideas.Value the input of critical minds to arrive at the best solutions together.Permanent Exchange and Active Listening:Engage in constant exchange, listen carefully, and encourage others to voice their opinions.Even with limited time, this practice helps avoid unnecessary work and potential mistakes.One of the most significant lessons for any leader from managing a start-up is to foster a culture of permanent exchange and active listening. By incorporating these principles, leaders can navigate and lead change more effectively within larger organizations.Join us next time as we continue to explore strategies for effective leadership and personal growth. Remember, it's okay not to have all the answers. Embracing uncertainty is the first step towards authentic leadership.Tune in next time for more insights on leadership and organizational dynamics. If you want to improve your own skills in leading change or communicating more effectively, check out Ulrike’s online live courses for individuals here.Thanks for tuning into 'Leading Change Conversations'! We hope you found our discussion inspiring and informative. Remember to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed it. Plus, sign up for our Newsletter to access our practical transformation roadmaps regularly. Until next time, keep leading, keep learning, and making a difference!About Poorya AminiPoorya obtained a master’s degree in veterinary medicine before pursuing a PhD in immunology, where his research focused on investigating pharmacological candidates in the pre-clinical stage. Following this, he pursued a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Clinical Trial Practice and Management. For over seven years, Poorya served as a trial project manager at a clinical research organization. During this time, he noticed significant issues with how clinical trial protocols were developed, prompting him to explore solutions. In 2019, Poorya founded Risklick, dedicating himself to creating the first AI-driven solution aimed at streamlining clinical trial protocol development.https://www.linkedin.com/in/poorya-amini-028951106/ About Ulrike SeminatiUlrike is a globally operating coach, trainer, and consultant who brings a wealth of experience as a former C-level executive to her expertise in authentic leadership and impactful communication. By blending the latest self-development methodologies with her extensive practical experience in leading across all levels of hierarchy, she enables leaders to establish trust and lead change through effective communication. Ulrike's clients benefit from her pragmatic and user-friendly tools that enable them to make lasting improvements.Connect with Ulrike!Website: https://ulrikeseminati.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulrikeseminati/Email: contact@ulrikeseminati.com
    Show more Show less
    30 mins
  • When you have to lay off 90% of your team ...

    When you have to lay off 90% of your team ...
    May 28 2024

    In this episode, Ulrike and her guest, Sally Jones, dive into the challenging and emotionally taxing experience of managing a massive layoff. Sally, had to oversee the reduction of her team from 36 to just 2 or 3 members. She shares her insights and tips on handling such a difficult situation professionally and effectively.


    Key Insights and Tips:


    1. Maintain Professionalism and Objectivity

    Detach from personal emotions and focus on the task at hand. Understand and accept that the lay-off, although tough, was necessary and beneficial for the organization.


    2. Adopt a Positive Mindset

    View challenges as opportunities for growth and valuable experiences. Avoid falling into pessimism and take control of the situation.


    3. Stay Open-Minded

    Be flexible with the outcome, recognizing that the final result may differ from initial expectations.


    4. Prepare for Team Questions

    Anticipate questions from team members and contribute to the overall Q&A. Clarify your emotions and positions to provide informed answers.


    5. Act Quickly to Manage Rumors

    Address the situation promptly to prevent rumors from worsening the team's morale. Understand that people often imagine worse scenarios than reality!


    6. Be Available for Your Team

    After the official announcement, remain accessible for questions and support. Organize one-on-one meetings to offer both organizational and emotional support.


    7. Acknowledge Survivor's Guilt

    Recognize the emotional impact on those who remain after the lay-off. Address feelings of guilt and ensure continuous support for these team members.


    Handling a significant layoff requires a balance of professionalism, empathy, and strategic communication. Sally's experience highlights the importance of staying objective, supporting your team, and managing the emotional aftermath of such a transition. Tune in to learn how to navigate these challenging situations effectively and listen to the full episode for more detailed insights and personal experiences shared by Sally.


    Join us next time as we continue to explore strategies for effective leadership and personal growth. Remember, it's okay not to have all the answers. Embracing uncertainty is the first step towards authentic leadership.

    If you want to improve your own skills in leading change or communicating more effectively, check out Ulrike’s online live courses for individuals here.


    Thanks for tuning into 'Leading Change Conversations'! We hope you found our discussion inspiring and informative. Remember to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed it. Plus, sign up for our Newsletter to access our practical transformation roadmaps regularly.


    Until next time, keep leading, keep learning, and making a difference!


    About Sally Jones

    Sally Jones, originally from the UK, now living in Switzerland, has 30 years finance experience, including the last 7 years as a C-suite executive. She has worked in practise, financial services and aviation services industries, public and privately owned companies.

    Sally has experienced a number of transformation exercises in her career, M&A, Financing, reporting, audit and ESG.

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-jones-1000a43/


    About Ulrike Seminati

    Ulrike is a globally operating coach, trainer, and consultant who brings a wealth of experience as a former C-level executive to her expertise in authentic leadership and impactful communication. By blending the latest self-development methodologies with her extensive practical experience in leading across all levels of hierarchy, she enables leaders to establish trust and lead change through effective communication. Ulrike's clients benefit from her pragmatic and user-friendly tools that enable them to make lasting improvements.


    Connect with Ulrike!

    Website: https://ulrikeseminati.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulrikeseminati/

    Email: contact@ulrikeseminati.com
    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • Fearless Leadership: Embracing not knowing

    Fearless Leadership: Embracing not knowing
    May 14 2024
    In this episode, Ulrike and her guest Erika Darmstaedter explore the challenge of managing the fear of not having all the answers as leaders and how admitting uncertainty can foster authenticity and trust within teams. Leaders, especially in higher positions, often feel compelled to have all the answers. This pressure can lead them to provide responses even when they're unsure, fearing that admitting ignorance might undermine their credibility. But actually, the opposite is true. Pretending to know when unsure can erode trust and credibility over time. It can lead to resistance when discrepancies arise between stated knowledge and reality.Our best picks on how to shift from the fear of not knowing to a constructive approach:Letting Go of Old Ideas: In today's world, leadership isn't solely about possessing knowledge but also about knowing where to find information. Leaders must overcome the ingrained notion that their value is solely determined by their knowledge.Learning to Admit in a Safe Space: Creating a safe environment to admit uncertainty is crucial. Leaders should practice acknowledging their lack of knowledge in a trusted setting before applying it in real-life situations.Creating a Learning Environment: Being open about uncertainties in meetings sets a positive example and encourages others to do the same. This fosters a culture of learning and collaboration.Repositioning Not Knowing as Valuable: Rather than viewing uncertainty as a weakness, leaders should see it as an opportunity to enhance understanding and prevent misunderstandings. Asking questions adds value to projects by providing clarity and detail.Maintaining a North Star: While embracing uncertainty, it's essential for leaders to maintain a clear long-term goal or purpose. This acts as a guiding principle while remaining flexible in execution, fostering consistency and credibility throughout the process.Relearning that perfection isn't necessary takes time and self-awareness. However, embracing authenticity and admitting uncertainty can ultimately lead to increased trust and support from those around you.Join us next time as we continue to explore strategies for effective leadership and personal growth. Remember, it's okay not to have all the answers. Embracing uncertainty is the first step towards authentic leadership.Tune in next time for more insights on leadership and organizational dynamics. If you want to improve your own skills in leading change or communicating more effectively, check out Ulrike’s online live courses for individuals here.Thanks for tuning into 'Leading Change Conversations'! We hope you found our discussion inspiring and informative. Remember to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed it. Plus, sign up for our Newsletter to access our practical transformation roadmaps regularly. Until next time, keep leading, keep learning, and making a difference!About Erika DarmstaedterErika is a global business leader with 30+ years in the creative industry, including 20+ years in CEO- and C-Suite and Board roles. She is Co-founder of Collective 63, a business-transformation advisory, Non-Executive Chairperson of the Avantgarde Brand Experience network, and Advisor to various tech-startups. She holds mentorship roles at The Founder Institute, the University of St. Gallen and INSEAD Alumni. Her expertise is directed at transforming companies into resilient entities poised for future challenges while championing gender equality and addressing ageism in the evolving business landscapes.https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikadarmstaedter/ About Ulrike SeminatiUlrike is a globally operating coach, trainer, and consultant who brings a wealth of experience as a former C-level executive to her expertise in authentic leadership and impactful communication. By blending the latest self-development methodologies with her extensive practical experience in leading across all levels of hierarchy, she enables leaders to establish trust and lead change through effective communication. Ulrike's clients benefit from her pragmatic and user-friendly tools that enable them to make lasting improvements.Connect with Ulrike!Website: https://ulrikeseminati.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulrikeseminati/Email: contact@ulrikeseminati.com
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
Management Economics Personal Success
Show more Show less

What listeners say about Leading Change Conversations

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
No Reviews are Available