Never Too Far Gone

The Secret Sauce to Transitioning Well

This is the first of an eight-part series called Transition Plans: How to Transition Well. Change is something that happens as an external event or situation, whereas 'transition' is an inner, psychological process that people go through as they internalise and come to terms with change. Based on William Bridges' groundbreaking work in Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes, this series unpacks the practical implications of his three-part Transition Model. It explores how to help a system end well, move into a neutral zone and then embrace a new beginning. This is a must-listen for anyone leading sector-wide or organisational transition. 

Good Apples and Bad Apples

This is the final of a six-part series about the practice in Systemic Renewal called 'Following Favour.' An often neglected aspect of systemic change is the 'who' question. How do you get the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus? In this final episode, Heather ties the topic together and draws from Jim Collins' research, highlighting how to avoid biting into a poisoned apple. She draws out three points: bad apples don't turn into good apples, bad apples aren't all bad, and bad apples are usually lazy, jealous or cheap. 

Your Purpose Can Change with Elisha O'Dowd

This week's podcast in the Following Favour series is with Elisha O'Dowd, a Renewalist, a Nurse and Effectiveness and Outcomes Manager at CLEO, an organisation designing digital care pathways and using the latest technology and research to improve patient outcomes. Elisha shares her journey into nursing, management in emergency departments and now into leading systemic change within health care. Elisha's story is a powerful reminder of the need to find favour with ourselves first, to know that just as our community's sense of purpose CAN shift, so can our own, and so can the system's belief in its own capacity. 

You Actually Love the System with Brooklyn White

This week's podcast in the Following Favour series is with Brooklyn White, a Renewalist, Social Worker and Founder of Renewing Hope Agency, Canada. Brooklyn shares her story of being drawn to macro-level change, why it can be lonely being that person in the system, and the secret she discovered that frustration and disappointment for Renewalists, comes from "actually loving the system." We suggest three reflection questions to take into your week after listening to this podcast:
1. Are you drawn to the macro? If so, how have this been received in your work context?
2. Do you experience situational ethics in the leadership around you? If so, what steadfastness is needed and how could you bring it?
3. Do you really love the system?

Group Work That Doesn't Suck

This is the third of a six-part series about a practice in Systemic Renewal called 'Following Favour.' An often neglected aspect of systemic change is the 'who' question. How do you get the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus? In this episode, Heather draws from Jim Collin's research to unpack how to gather the right people in the right way to make group work effective (and fun). She describes what research reveals are key strategies for good group work: being selective and having a leader, but one who is led by the group. 

We Don't Need Another Hero

This is the second of a six-part series about a practice in Systemic Renewal called 'Following Favour.' An often neglected aspect of systemic change is the 'who' question. How do you get the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus? In this episode, Heather draws from Jim Collin's research to unpack why starting small and slow wins the day. She describes what research reveals are key strategies for attracting the right people, repelling the wrong people and developing a succession plan. 

Who Are Your People?

This is the first of a six-part series about a practice in Systemic Renewal called 'Following Favour.' An often neglected aspect of systemic change is the 'who' question. How do you get the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus? Heather draws from Jim Collin's research which shows that 'who' questions come before 'what' questions, and shares from her own experience how to tell who your people are. 

The Method (Part 2)

Heather shares the second of the Four Methods that encompass Systemic Renewal as a practice. This episode outlines why changing mindsets is fundamental to effecting lasting systemic change and why we need training in the science of how to do this. We currently live in a world that tries to change mindsets by changing personnel, policy and conversations. These are secondary outcomes of deeper changes that can't happen working purely from these levels. This episode dives into examples from Heather's experience of how to craft and peform renewed narratives within a system.

The Method (Part 1)

Heather shares the first two of the Four Methods that encompass Systemic Renewal as a practice. This episode outlines why changing mindsets is fundamental to effecting lasting systemic change and why we need training in the science of how to do this. We currently live in a world that tries to change mindsets by changing personnel, policy and conversations. These are secondary outcomes of deeper changes that can't happen working purely from these levels. 

The Mountain, The Table, The Green Room and The Stage

Heather the Four Modes of Leadership that encompass Systemic Renewal. She terms these the Mountain, the Table, the Green Room and the Stage. She shares how effective change leaders move in and out of these modes in balanced and intentional ways, and once they get this right, specific methods for effecting change can be released effectively.