E7: Why Most Change Fails at Work (And What To Do Instead)

Ever roll your eyes at another “big change initiative” from leadership, only to see it fade after a month? Or maybe you’ve thought to yourself, “Why should I be the one to change?” Today, we tackle the cold, hard truth behind failed workplace change initiatives — and what actually works.

This episode breaks down:

• Why "flavor of the month" changes never stick
• How to build a critical mass that actually drives change
• What real leadership looks like (and how it often fails)
• A 5-part framework for change management (that isn't just theory)
• The power of outside perspectives — and how to use feedback the right way

We’ll also dig into insights from my PhD program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and share personal stories from the manufacturing floor — including that time I was told to make 15 parts a day... when only 7 were possible.

This is for anyone who's ever sat in a meeting and thought: “This will never work.” By the end, you’ll not only understand why change fails, but how to take ownership of change — in your organization or yourself.

📚 Referenced Authors & Sources:

Carmazzi, A. (2019, June 21). Creating sustainable organizational change culture in 80 days [Video]. TEDx Talks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2XE87EoI7M 

Cross, J. (2013, March 14). Three myths of behavior change - What you think you know that you don’t [Video]. TEDx Talks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5d8GW6GdR0&t=1s 

Cummings, T.G., & Worley, C.G. (2019). Organization development and change (11th edition). Cengage. 

Falender, C. A., & Shafranske, E. P. (Eds.). (2020). Consultation in psychology: A competency-based approach. American Psychological Association. 

Wycoff, K. L. (2021). Consultation with a community-based organization serving urban youth: A case study. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 73(2), 163–180.