There’s so many ways to be part of change in the workplace, tell us a bit about your background and experience in leading change?
My change story really begins way back (more than 20 years) when I took a job with Toyota in the UK. They were recruiting for a new assembly plant to supply Corolla into Europe, and when I got there the place was empty, in regards to equipment, tooling etc. but crawling with trainers (sensei) from Japan. We went through, what I can only describe as, an extremely steep learning curve from that point on as we basically built the processes from scratch in order to meet a 56 second Takt time (drum beat production). I spent 7 years at Toyota working my way up through various leadership roles and only left to move to Australia. I have been here now since 2006 (the year the Eagles won a premiership, Go Eagles!!) and have worked across many industries from Mining and Oil and gas through to Biotechnology and pretty much everything in between, filling roles internally and externally (as a consultant) but always with an eye on change and continuous improvement.
What facets of leading and managing change do you most enjoy?
I’ve always loved the challenge of learning about an organisation's processes and how they operate but, my absolute favourite thing about change is learning to understand an organisation's people and constantly challenging myself to find ways to help them willingly move towards where they can have great success with, whatever direction/project their organisation has chosen. It’s often truly challenging and quite frustrating at times but I think that’s why I have so much fun doing it.
Tell us a piece of advice that has stuck with you?
“Understand your why” and focus every element of your life on achieving it. Like so many people, I get a great deal of fulfillment from helping people and so my why is about helping business to develop and grow, not for money (money is important but is also just one resource that is needed for an organization to operate and be successful) but rather in order to better support their people and the communities in which they operate.
What do you find most valuable about being a member of ACMP?
I’m new and so I still have time to make my mind up on this one, judgement is reserved. That said I am very much looking forward to learning more about change methodologies but also meeting lots of like minded people with stories and experiences to share.
Tell us a book or movie you think everyone should read / see and why?
The most influential book I have read is called Switch and is authored by Chip and Dan Heath and I can’t recommend it highly enough. In essence it speaks of the Elephant (emotionally influenced part of a person).
The Rider (that part of a person influenced by logic, Money, numbers, facts etc) and the Path (influencing people to change by making changes in or to their environment).
My most recent read though (and possibly as influential as Switch, for me at least,) which is also a great read is The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. My recommendation is read both, you can always then let me know what you think.
