Amy Leighton: Agile Change in M&A: Trust, Speed, and Cultural Fit

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In this episode of Conversations of Agile Change, Dr. Jen Frahm chats with Dijana Marjanovic Alispahic, Marco Di Santis, and Leah Makin from UniSuper — a powerhouse trio redefining agile change in a highly regulated industry. They unpack their accidental journeys into change, the human side of agile, what brain-friendly practice means for neurodivergent professionals, and the leadership practices that foster psychological safety and creativity. Expect candor, laughter, and a few truth bombs that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

💡 Topics include:The shift from waterfall to moments-that-matter in M&ACultural due diligence as a critical success factorUsing agile planning in uncertaintyBuilding trust through iterative communicationMiddle manager capability as a game-changerTop 3 agile tools for M&AIf you’re a change practitioner working on or preparing for M&A—this episode is gold.🎤 Featuring: Amy Leighton, Enterprise Change Partner at Aurecon📄 Based on: ACMP’s May 2025 White Paper, Navigating the Future of Change ManagementGlobal Connect - ACMP July conference 

In this episode of Conversations of Agile Change, Dr. Jen Frahm sits down with Elizabeth Beattie, Program Change Lead for AI and Innovation at UNSW, to explore what it really takes to lead change in the age of AI. Elizabeth shares how she's applying agile, human-centered change techniques to foster curiosity, build capability, and create safe spaces for experimentation at a research-intensive university. They dive into lessons on leadership vulnerability, why co-creation beats top-down control, and how AI transformations are fundamentally different (and not so different) from past changes. Whether you're a change leader, innovator, or AI-curious, this conversation will spark fresh ideas for your own practice.

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The discussion covers the following key topics:Brain-Friendly Change:Designing change experiences that work by leveraging applied neuroscience.The importance of moving from fear to flow to overcome change resistance and failure.How brain-friendly change can serve as a protective shield against change overwhelm and fatigue.Understanding Resistance:Redefining resistance as a natural response and exploring its neurological basis.Strategies for creating approach states and minimizing avoid states to foster engagement.Leadership and Change:The critical role of leaders in setting the tone for change and the impact of their behavior on organizational culture.Practical tips for engaging leaders and aligning them with brain-friendly change practices.Agile and Brain-Friendly Change:The synergy between agile methodologies and brain-friendly change.How agile practices support continuous learning, collaboration, and psychological safety.Real-World Applications:Michelle shares real-life examples of implementing brain-friendly change techniques in large organizations.The significance of co-designing change initiatives with stakeholders to ensure success.Throughout the episode, Michelle emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adapting change practices to align with our understanding of human behavior and neuroscience.  updates.Michelle Teunis on LinkedIn  (Guest) Lena Ross on LinkedIn (Host) CollabwiseEnroll in Brain-Friendly Change course.