change Archives

Recognizing When You’re the Problem

Recognizing When You’re the Problem The Specific Leadership Behaviors That Create Resistance Even When the Change Is Necessary, How to Recognize When Your Approach Is Causing the Problems You’re Trying to Solve, and What to Do About It Without Losing Credibility The Uncomfortable Truth About Change and Transformation Resistance Leaders naturally attribute change and transformation resistance to others. Employees resist because they fear change. Middle managers resist because they’re protecting territory. Senior leaders resist because they’re invested in the status…

Kevin Novak

December 5, 2025

Change and Transformation Leadership

Managing Your Own Change and Transformation Psychology

Managing Your Own Change and Transformation Psychology Leaders Experience the Same Psychological Transitions They’re Asking Others to Navigate, But They’re Expected to Hide It: How to Process Your Own Grief, Uncertainty, and Competence Threats While Supporting Others Through the Same Experiences The Hidden Burden of Leading Change When leaders announce organizational change and transformation, they’re expected to project confidence, provide direction, and support others through uncertainty. What’s rarely acknowledged is that leaders are simultaneously navigating their own psychological transition. They…

Kevin Novak

December 5, 2025

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

The Transformation Plateau: Why Change Stalls in the Messy Middle

The Transformation Plateau: Why Change Stalls in the Messy Middle Issue 241, December 4, 2025 The early enthusiasm everyone on the team had was palpable. Six months ago, leaders announced a sweeping digital transformation initiative with all the fanfare that major change initiatives deserve. The town hall was packed, Slack channels were full of employee chatter, and everyone seemed optimistic. Executives spoke passionately about the future and the problems being solved. Early adopters volunteered eagerly for pilot programs. The organization’s…

Kevin Novak

December 3, 2025

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Ideas and Innovations Thanksgiving Week Sampler 2025 – A Season of Reflection and Gratitude

Ideas and Innovations Thanksgiving Week Sampler 2025 A Season of Reflection and Gratitude Issue 240, November 27, 2025 As we gather around tables this Thanksgiving week, we pause to recognize what truly matters in our organizations and our lives. The season of gratitude invites us to reflect on the connections we’ve built, the communities we’ve fostered, and the shared purposes that bind us together. This week, rather than exploring a single topic, we’re offering a curated sampler of seven Ideas…

Kevin Novak

November 25, 2025

Human Factor Podcast

Human Factor Podcast Season 1 Episode 2 The Gen Z Factor: How Younger Generations Are Rewiring Workplace Psychology

Episode 002 The Gen Z Factor: How Younger Generations Are Rewiring Workplace Psychology Explore how Gen Z’s Pragmatic Approach to Loyalty, Meaning, and Work Relationships Is Fundamentally Reshaping Organizational Expectations Host: Kevin Novak Duration: 28 minutes Available: October 16, 2025 🎙️Season 1, Episode 2 Episodes are available in both video and audio formats across all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, Pandora, Apple Podcasts, and via RSS, among others. Transcript Available Below Episode Overview Organizations are hemorrhaging $1 trillion annually…

Kevin Novak

October 16, 2025

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Being Human in the Age of AI: Trust, Adoption, and Ethical Dilemmas

Being Human in the Age of AI: Trust, Adoption, and Ethical Dilemmas Issue 233, October 9, 2025 Here’s a test: Think about yesterday. How many AI recommendations did you follow without a second thought? Your Netflix queue. Your GPS route. Maybe even what to cook for dinner. Now think about the last major strategic decision you made at work. Did you trust AI the same way? Or did something in your gut say, “Wait. I need to think about this.”…

Kevin Novak

October 9, 2025

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Transformation Psychology

The Communication Paradox in Transformation Leadership

The Communication Paradox in Transformation Leadership Why saying all the right things the right way can still create resistance, confusion, and transformation failure Assess Your Transformational Readiness The Paradox That Puzzles Leaders You craft the perfect transformation message. You deliver it with passion and clarity. You repeat it consistently. You answer questions thoughtfully. Yet people remain confused, resistant, and skeptical. This isn’t a communication failure—it’s the communication paradox. In transformation contexts, traditional communication approaches often create the opposite of their…

Kevin Novak

September 25, 2025

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Transformation Psychology

Change vs. Transition: Why Leaders Manage the Wrong Thing

Change vs. Transition: Why Leaders Manage the Wrong Thing The critical distinction that separates transformation success from failure—and why most leaders focus on the easy part Assess Transition Readiness The Fundamental Misunderstanding Killing Transformations Most leaders think change and transition are the same thing. They’re not. Change is external and situational—new systems, processes, organizational structures. Transition is internal and psychological—the mental and emotional journey people take to accept and internalize change. You can mandate change overnight, but transition takes months…

Kevin Novak

September 25, 2025

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Invisible Friction Is Slowing Your Strategy

Invisible Friction Is Slowing Your Strategy Issue 231, September 25, 2025 Earlier this year, the new CEO of a high-tech organization rushed to get an AI tool that promised to revolutionize customer onboarding into production. She was recognized as a “hot shot” talent who had staked her reputation on being a visionary and early mover. She was always several steps ahead of everyone else. She was also very persuasive and had convinced the board to invest in the tool, but…

Kevin Novak

September 24, 2025

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Coaching Across Generations: Why One Size Never Fits All

Coaching Across Generations: Why One Size Never Fits All Issue 230, September 18, 2025 Over the past two weeks, we have focused on executive burnout, exploring why, in today’s complex business environment, executives are considering alternatives to management strategies to regain mental equilibrium. Leaders are also innovating ways to manage a workforce to reduce the mental drain of today’s management pressures. We conclude this three-part series with an exploration of how to coach a multi-generational workforce. As always, the human…

Kevin Novak

September 18, 2025

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