Why Most Transformations Fail - Leadership Wisdom from Barbara Wittmann

Digital transformation projects continue to fail at alarming rates, 70% for digital initiatives and over 90% for AI transformations. The problem isn't technology. It's how organizations approach change and where they look for solutions.Most leaders believe transformation starts at the top, but the real answers often lie in the middle of the organization with people who see what works, what doesn't, and have been silenced by the noise.Find the full show notes at:https://workmatters.com/Why-Most-Transformations-Fail---Leadership-Wisdom-from-Barbara-Wittmann

Many leaders are trained to believe that progress requires adding more effort, more meetings, more strategies, more pressure. But often, the real work of leadership is like curling: sweeping away friction so momentum can build naturally.Gayle Lantz challenges the "badge of honor" mentality around working harder and introduces a different approach, leading with a broom, not a bulldozer.As Gayle explains, "Most of the leaders I work with don't have a motivation problem. They have a friction problem."Find the full show notes at:https://workmatters.com/Leaders---Sweep-Away-What-Slows-You-Down-Now

Leaders today face a critical challenge: how to leverage AI effectively without losing their authentic voice or the trust of their teams. Some are avoiding AI entirely, while others are over-relying on it at the expense of their own critical thinking and expertise.AI should enhance communication, not replace it. When used strategically, AI can actually help leaders become more authentic.Gayle Lantz speaks with Allison Shapira, trusted advisor to some of the world's most influential voices. For over 20 years, Allison has helped senior executives from prime ministers and cabinet members to Fortune 100 leaders communicate with clarity, confidence, and strategic purpose.Find the full show notes at:https://workmatters.com/Using-AI-to-Communicate-More-Authentically-with-Allison-Shapira

Leaders today face unprecedented stress from managing multiple generations and navigating constant change. Many are powering through, operating on fumes, or numbing out just to make it through the day.But what if the answer isn't pushing harder? What if it's learning to work with your nervous system instead of against it?Gayle Lantz speaks with Anna Liotta, a pioneering thought leader in generational intelligence and nervous system resilience. Anna is the author of Vagus Nerve Reset Decoded and works with organizations to help leaders build sustainable capacity rather than just muscling through.Find the full show notes at:https://workmatters.com/Staying-Calm-Under-Pressure---How-to-Regulate-Your-Nervous-System-and-Lead-Better-with-Anna-Liotta

As we enter 2026, the workplace continues to evolve with five generations working side by side. Leaders who understand generational expectations and adapt their leadership style will be better positioned to retain top talent and build thriving organizations.But many leaders still struggle with outdated assumptions about different generations, from work ethic to technology adoption. Understanding these generational codes is no longer optional; it's essential for organizational success.Find the full show notes at:https://workmatters.com/Leading-in-2026--Navigating-the-Multigenerational-Workplace-with-Anna-Liotta

Before you set new goals this year, it might be worth questioning old beliefs—because not every belief you have should come with you into the new year.Beliefs can be sneaky. They run the show in the background, influencing how we lead, the decisions we make, and how we react—often without us even realizing it. If we don't bring them into the light, they quietly run the program.Find the full show notes at:https://workmatters.com/10-Common-Beliefs-Holding-Leaders-Back-and-How-to-Let-Them-Go

The holidays can amplify everything: joy, stress, reflection and different emotions. For leaders, this season often feels like both a gift and a weight.In this episode, Gayle Lantz explores an often-overlooked quality that strengthens leadership: lightness. Not frivolity, but the kind of lightness that comes from clarity, perspective, and the ability to not take everything so seriously.Find the full show notes at:https://workmatters.com/Less-Weight-More-Light---How-to-Move-Forward-without-Burning-Out

Many executives average just six and a half hours of sleep a night, yet sleep and rest are essential for sharp thinking, sound judgment, and creativity. The problem? Most leaders treat rest as something to be earned rather than a strategic necessity.Gayle Lantz challenges the myths and beliefs about rest that keep leaders from getting the restorative downtime they truly need. As she explains, "Rest isn't a reward that you earn by pushing yourself to the brink. It's not lazy."Find the full show notes at:https://workmatters.com/Finally-Get-the-Real-Rest-You-Need

The holidays aren't just for catching up, they're a strategic opportunity to accelerate your goals. But many conversations stay frustratingly surface-level, leaving us drained rather than energized.Gayle Lantz shares why talking about your aspirations out loud during this season could be the most powerful action you take for the year ahead. As she explains, "What you focus on grows. What you talk about grows even faster."Find the full show notes at:https://workmatters.com/Voice-Your-Vision---Steering-Conversations-to-Achieve-Your-Biggest-Goals

Leadership development doesn't always happen in a boardroom. Sometimes the most transformational insights come from stepping completely outside your familiar environment and immersing yourself in a radically different way of life.Gayle Lantz speaks with Oli Raison and Boris Maguire, co-founders of Safarini Leadership. They guide executives on six-day wilderness treks in northern Kenya alongside Samburu warriors and elders.Find the full show notes at:https://workmatters.com/Inspiring-Your-Transformational-Journey---Leadership-Lessons-from-Africa-with-Oli-Raison--Boris-Maguire