People don’t fear change – they fear loss
The world of work is constantly evolving, driven by economic shifts, technological advancements, and changing social dynamics. While change itself isn’t inherently feared, the potential losses it brings—whether in job security, status, or stability—can create anxiety. Understanding this distinction is crucial for organisations looking to manage transitions effectively and support their employees through uncertain times.…
Read MoreWhat is valuable in your Organisation?
Several years ago, I found myself in a scoping meeting at a prominent public sector health organisation. The room was filled with senior leaders eager to develop a set of values they believed would enhance the organisation’s performance. The proposed list was familiar: Integrity: Acting with honesty and transparency, adhering to strong ethical principles in…
Read MoreEmbracing the Role of a Wise Elder in Leadership
If you’re a senior leader transitioning from an operational role, insights into becoming a wise elder might be just what you need. The heroic leader archetype has been glorified for too long, often leaving us, and our organisations, sluggish and inflexible. This model paints a picture of a powerful, charismatic figure leading from the front,…
Read MoreGrass Roots Tactics for Organisational Transformation
This is a grassroots change programme. It is low-risk and high-reward. While not a quick fix, it fosters engagement that leads to sustained performance improvements across the organisation. Once implemented, this approach can be repeated cyclically, forming a foundation for ongoing continuous improvement. As with all change initiatives, it is easy to focus on the…
Read MoreNature’s Blueprint: Five Essential Elements for Sustainable Business Growth
In the same way that life on our planet has developed, we can learn how to scale our businesses by observing and emulating nature’s strategies. Here are five elements where nature has taught us about successful growth and sustainability. These should all be part of a business growth health check. 1. Redundancy: Building Resilience Through…
Read MoreHigh Performing Management
How to Tell Whether Your Team Has Had a Good Day I’ve been consulting and coaching for 26 years, and one thing I’ve consistently noticed about managers is how much time they spend on administration compared to how little time they dedicate to performance. In fact, the situation seems to be getting worse. Before diving…
Read MoreThe Key Elements of a Successful Business Review
Introduction A Business Review is an essential process for evaluating how well a company operates. It looks at workflows, resource management, workplace culture, and overall efficiency to identify areas for improvement. The aim is to identify potential operational improvements, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance productivity. Typically conducted by productivity consultants, like those at Woodward Consulting Limited,…
Read MoreExecutive Presence in a Modern World
Executive presence is your ability to inspire confidence among your peers, subordinates, and senior leaders, who are essential to your success. You must show that you are able, trustworthy, and a safe pair of hands with the potential for outstanding achievement. Your executive presence will indicate whether you can deliver on your strategic objectives and…
Read MoreReducing Stress in Transformation Programmes
Over many decades of working with organisations navigating transformation, I often hear staff talk about change fatigue. Change fatigue is associated with an expectation to take on many new working practices without being deeply engaged in them. These expectations frequently result from a strategic initiative developed at the executive level, where a knowledge of day-to-day…
Read MoreThe Six Objectives of Digital Transformation
Digital transformation has become essential to staying competitive in today’s world. Companies that embrace digital transformation as an ongoing operational development are better placed to stay ahead of the curve, increase efficiency, and remain agile. Staying up to date has never been more critical. The world seems particularly volatile, with markets and industries that once…
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