Season 5 - Episode 8 - Why 'Bottom Up' Change Fails (And What Smart Leaders Do Instead)

Culture is one of the most underestimated forces in change and yet it has the power to make or break your initiative. In this episode of Next Level Change Success,  Therese unpacks how culture shows up in both obvious and subtle ways, and why understanding it is critical to your effectiveness as a change leader or practitioner. From leadership engagement and accountability structures to informal networks and behavioural cues, you will be walked through what to look for and how to adapt your approach. If you’ve ever felt like your change plan should be working, and yet it isn’t, this episode will help you understand why, and what to do differently next time. Want to learn more about change management in organisations? Come to www.myvirtualchangemanager.com to learn from a change expert with more than 25 years experience in Change and Projects.

In this episode of Next Level Change Success, we explore one of the most underrated yet powerful skills in change leadership, curiosity. Moving beyond surface-level questioning, this episode unpacks what it truly means to be genuinely curious and how this mindset can transform the way you lead, influence, and deliver change in your organisation. You’ll learn how curiosity helps you uncover hidden risks, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and build trust, all the while avoiding the common pitfalls of assumption-led change. Whether you’re a leader, project professional, or change practitioner, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you ask questions and show you how curiosity can elevate your impact to the next level. Are you curious about the world of organisational change management? Come and visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com to learn more.

In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese explores what it really means to lead and influence during times of intense uncertainty. With global economic shifts, rising cost-of-living pressures, and rapid technological change, many professionals are feeling overwhelmed. This episode offers a grounded, practical perspective on how to stay centred, support your team, and continue delivering value, even when everything feels unpredictable. You’ll learn how to recognise the hidden impacts of external pressure on workplace performance, why empathy and boundaries must work together, and how to focus on what you can control to maintain momentum. If you’re navigating change right now,personally or professionally, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and lead with clarity. Want to learn more? Come and visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com

In this episode of Next Level Change Success, we explore one of the most overlooked drivers of successful change: cause and effect. While many organisations focus on outputs, the reality is that the quality of your change is determined by the inputs you prioritise. Therese breaks down three critical areas that directly influence your outcomes: planning, impact assessment, and learning. If you’ve ever felt like your change initiatives are reactive, chaotic, or harder than they need to be, this episode will give you some areas of cause where you can regain control. Learn how to create clarity, target your efforts, and build continuous improvement into your change approach, so you can deliver meaningful, people-centred outcomes every time. Interested in all things change management, change leadership and change intelligence based? Visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com

In this Episode Therese explores the real change experience through the lens of a Change leader, a Change Manager (Facilitator) and through the eyes of an individual who is being impacted by the change.   One link through the entire conversation is the need for empathy and understanding, more now than ever. Like what you hear?     Visit www.myvirtualchangemanager.com to develop your change skills.

Why do some change initiatives succeed while others fall flat? Even with the 'right' frameworks in place? In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese unpacks the three critical layers that truly determine success in change: You, the Framework, and experience. Drawing on over 20 years of real-world experience, Therese shares practical insights to help you: Improve your influence in complex environments Shift your mindset to unlock better outcomes Apply frameworks more effectively Build true change intelligence If you’re a project professional, leader, or practitioner navigating change, this episode will challenge how you think about your role and give you the tools to elevate your impact. Like what you hear and want to learn how to tip towards success when needing to introduce change, visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com  

Why do so many organisational change initiatives struggle to gain momentum? Often the answer isn’t strategy—it’s friction. In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese explores the four most common friction points that slow or derail change inside organisations. You’ll discover: • Why generic communication creates confusion during change • How a lack of feedback channels damages trust • The critical role leaders play in owning and advocating for change • Why co-design is essential for successful adoption If you work in projects, transformation, HR, operations, or leadership, this episode will give you practical insights to help you remove friction and build momentum in your change initiatives. Because when change becomes easier to experience, people are far more willing to embrace it. Looking to explore change and how it can be implemented well in organisations? Then come and visit www.myvirtualchangemanager.com to discover what change is when you take it deeper.

In this Episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese talks about the neverending 'grey' areas of change. If you are wanting to implement in a black and white way, with certainty and perfection you will be in for a rude shock and possibly experience neverending frustration. Some people will say things like 'they won't listen to me' or 'they don't understand change'. Therese covers this and ways in which you can reflect on your approach and handle the 'grey' areas of change management with finesse and flexibility still achieving your outcomes but in an easier way. So if you are in that situation, then have a listen and consider some of the ways in which you may take a different approach to achieve a different outcome. Like what you hear and keen to explore change in organisations? Come and visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com to learn all about change management, change leadership and influencing for change. 

In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese explores the deeper reality of leadership in change. If you’re a leader, or working closely with leaders, this episode unpacks the three critical roles leaders play in change and why the conversation around “sponsorship” is too shallow. You’ll discover: Why leadership in change is an ecosystem How peer alignment impacts performance The hidden cost of siloed leadership How everyday decisions create both intended and unconscious change Practical ways to develop your change intelligence If you want to influence better, lead stronger, and navigate enterprise complexity with confidence as a leader or change facilitator working with leaders, then this is a must listen episode. Want to know and learn more? Come to myvirtualchangemanager.com to find out more.

In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese explores the real risks of relying on bottom-up change strategies, especially in enterprise environments. If you’re struggling to gain traction with leadership and feel tempted to “just get it done” from the frontline, this episode is for you. You’ll learn: Why grassroots momentum isn’t enough for transformation How to respectfully engage leadership hierarchy The true purpose of escalation Practical strategies to secure leadership alignment without damaging trust The layered approach that creates sustainable change If you want your change initiatives to stick, not just move, press play. If you are leading, managing, or influencing for change, come and visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com to develop your change intelligence.