Change Makes or Breaks Teams - Mary Lynn Manns

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"If you don't manage the people, if they don't feel seen and heard, your change is constantly going to be ambushed." - Mary-Lynn Manns

In this episode, I chat with Mary Lynn Manns about the ever-tricky topic of change in tech. Mary Lynn is a consultant, pushing ideas forward despite resistance. We explore why good ideas alone often aren't enough and why change can falter when we rely solely on logic and ignore emotions. We discuss how to effectively engage skeptics and build emotional connections that go beyond simple presentations. Mary Lynn shares practical techniques for leading change from any role, aiming to minimize resistance and maximize impact.

Mary Lynn Manns is an independent consultant based in Asheville, NC. Her background includes university teaching and she is now a Professor Emerita at the University of North Carolina Asheville. She has done numerous presentations and workshops on the topic of change at conferences and in organizations that include Microsoft, amazon.com, Procter & Gamble, Apple, and Avon.

Highlights:

• Change resistance isn't about the idea—people hate the chaos and identity loss during transition.
• Skeptics become allies when you ask "what are we missing?" instead of trying to persuade them.
• Leaders fail by pushing information; success comes from emotional connection through stories and questions.
• Acknowledge what people lose during change, not just what they gain—it builds trust fast.
• Bottom-up change sticks better than top-down mandates; anyone can lead change without formal power.

More Links with Insights:

• Fearless Change
• Fearless Change App