How can your personal transformation serve as a catalyst for the overall organizational change? Continually challenging yourself and preparing for inevitable changes will help you embrace discomfort, build resilience, and foster a growth mindset in your personal and professional life.
In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Ashley Sardjoe about the importance of personal transformation as a foundation for organizational change. Ashley is a global People & Organization leader with a passion for driving transformative change that enhances organizational performance and drives sustainable business growth. With over 15 years of experience in the field of HR, Ashley is renowned for his ability to develop and execute human capital strategies that enable organizations to achieve their strategic objectives. He is currently the VP, Country People & Organization Head for Novartis in Canada. He is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating work environments that foster innovation, accountability, and engagement.
Listen in to learn how creating a supportive environment and setting unnegotiable standards can help individuals thrive amid uncertainty. You will also learn the significance of having a well-prepared change management strategy while being adaptable and patient.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the power of individual change as the foundation of organizational transformation.
- How to build resilience to cope with change through exposure to discomfort and personal challenges.
- The importance of enjoying the discomfort through your growth process in your personal and professional life.
- The importance of transparency and direct conversations in understanding individual struggles and fostering stronger team connections.
- The power of authenticity, humor, and vulnerability in leadership to connect with teams on a human level.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- [01:43] Ashley shares his multicultural upbringing and how it influences his approach to leadership and life.
- [03:17] He describes his transition from management consulting to HR, plus the strategic impact of his HR initiatives.
- [06:31] The importance of individual change and how it contributes to overall organizational change.
- [11:41] The importance of choosing how to respond to change and the role of discipline in preparing for inevitable challenges.
- [17:38] The benefits of discomfort in personal growth, plus how Novartis supports its leaders through training and emotional agility.
- [20:26] How courageous leaders can manage transformation with honest communication and supporting team members.
- [25:45] Common themes in successful change management strategies – the importance of preparation, clear communication, and adaptability.
- [30:17] How to show up authentically as a leader by being present and having conversations with employees across all levels.
- [32:07] Traits of an inspirational leader and how they allow you to connect with your teams on a human level while pursuing important business outcomes.
- [38:04] How to intentionally show up when facing unwanted change and transform change from a threat to an opportunity for personal growth.
Standout Quotes:
- “It is essential to recognize that organizational change involves multiple individuals basically coming together to collectively adapt and transform an entire system.”– Ashley [07:03]
- “Continuously exposing yourself to a certain level of discomfort and in a disciplined manner, it will ultimately impact the way you’re capable of dealing with change.”– Ashley [14:28]
- “You need to have the flexibility and agility for the fact that transformation involves people and not everybody is on the same page of this infamous change journey.”– Ashley [28:25]
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Resources Mentioned:
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