Small change: get ready to rumble

First published on
Oct 01, 2024

Writing Small Change Communicating clearly Culture in companies Difficult conversations Emotions at work Getting change done 2024

“There are no disagreements around here,” said a CEO we used to know, many moons ago. “We’re a happy ship.” Of course, it later transpired that his business was on the verge of mutiny.

Conflict is an inevitability of organisational life. Pretending it’s not there doesn’t make it go away.

And knowing how to engage in healthy conflict — which is to say, how to resolve conflict quickly and for the greater good — is an attribute of all high performing, change-ready cultures.

Developing this skill starts with getting curious about why others see the world as they do. Exploring the root causes of differences in opinion can be uncomfortable, particularly where human relationships are concerned. But the alternative is to live in denial: a sure-fire way to end up with a far larger price to pay when the bill inevitably falls due.

Something to consider: what are our disagreements trying to teach us about one another?

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Giving a team the inspiration and technique to scale ideas

“Brilliant, astute, knowledgeable, and witty.

Phil grasped our business challenge with incredible speed and led us to rethink how we do business.”

SARAH MASON – CMO, COSMOS

REPAIRING A BUSINESS-CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP

“I’m not sure, but Phil might be a magician.”

JULIE BISHOP – CO-CEO, IT NATURALLY

Getting change past the post in a complicated context

“Transformational for both my personal and professional growth.”

STUART WILLIAMSON — CHIEF CORPORATE AFFAIRS OFFICER, THE JOCKEY CLUB

Instilling accountability to help a great team do great things

“Real smarts, and the external perspective we needed.

We are now securing industry standards of margin.”

NEIL CRUMP – CEO, AURORA HEALTHCARE

COMPREHENSIVE STRUCTURAL CHANGE

“Incredibly responsive and empathetic to our specific challenges and ambition.

Phil inspired and challenged our leadership team to ensure that our transformation had our people at its heart.”

Darina Garland, Co-CEO, Ooni

Enabling a Board to work to its full potential

“His years of experience allow for a highly credible, disciplined and empathic approach.

Phil offers the right balance of push and encouragement.”

VIV HSU – PARTNER, JBI

Small change: get ready to rumble

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