Chief Change Officer Podcast Episode #211: Jennifer Selby Long - Change Management Found Her—Now She’s Fixing Yours

In Episode #211 of the Chief Change Officer podcast, host Vince Chen engages in a profound conversation with Jennifer Selby Long, a seasoned expert with three decades of experience in guiding tech leaders through the tumultuous waters of technological evolution and organizational change. This episode delves deep into the intricacies of change management, personal transformation, and the pivotal role of leadership in fostering successful organizational transitions.

Introduction to Jennifer Selby Long

Vince Chen opens the episode by introducing Jennifer Selby Long, highlighting her extensive background in coaching tech leaders. With a focus on areas such as cybersecurity, digital transformation, and user experience, Jennifer emphasizes that her insights are invaluable not just for those in technical fields but for anyone striving to thrive in today’s rapidly changing environment.

[00:31] Jennifer Selby Long: "This is a message from sponsor Intuit..."
(Note: This is an advertisement and will be skipped in the summary.)

Journey into Change Management

Jennifer recounts her unexpected entry into the realm of change management in the early '90s. Initially part of the IT training department, she was thrust into a change management role when tasked with implementing a simple three-step process that the organization struggled to adopt. This experience ignited her passion and established her as a dedicated change manager.

[04:37] Jennifer Selby Long: "I became an accidental change manager in the early 90s... my colleague and I began digging into why on earth are they not executing this simple three step process."

Over the years, Jennifer shifted her focus from purely technical training to the human and organizational aspects of change. She highlights the persistent challenges that come with managing change, such as conflict and resistance, and how these have shaped her expertise in helping leaders navigate these complexities.

The Essence of Leadership in Change

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the leadership aspect of change management. Jennifer stresses that successful organizational change hinges on leaders mastering their personal transformations before they can effectively guide their teams.

[07:51] Vince Chen: "So you are helping a leader who sits at the center of a complex situation... while also guiding them on a more personal level, helping them find peace and balance while navigating change."

Jennifer elaborates on the multifaceted role of leaders who must engage, convince, and motivate various stakeholders, each with their own agendas. She underscores the emotional dimensions of change management, emphasizing the need for leaders to balance rational decision-making with emotional intelligence.

[09:35] Vince Chen: "Technology is such a huge and evolving field... Could you be more specific about what areas of leadership you focus on today...?"

Evolution of Technology and Leadership

Jennifer provides a comprehensive overview of how technology has evolved and its impact on leadership and change management. She notes that while technological tools have become more reliable and effective, the core challenges in change management remain rooted in human behavior and organizational dynamics.

[10:17] Jennifer Selby Long: "Technology has changed a great deal across time... technology actually works pretty darn well. And so that's no longer at the root of the challenge."

She discusses her transition from focusing primarily on IT leaders to encompassing broader business leaders, especially in areas like digital transformation and user experience. Jennifer highlights the increasing importance of soft skills and personal development as technology becomes more integrated into business processes.

The Natural Personal Process of Change

One of the pivotal topics in this episode is the natural personal process of change, inspired by Bill Bridges' model. Jennifer distinguishes between organizational change and personal change, emphasizing that successful leaders must understand and navigate their own transformation to effectively lead others.

[18:45] Jennifer Selby Long: "There is a natural personal process of change... where leaders often struggle with this I find is they are either thinking of the change themselves or privy to the change much sooner than the people who are on their teams."

Jennifer outlines the three stages of personal change:

1. Losses and Endings: Recognizing what is being lost.
2. Transition: The prolonged period of uncertainty and adjustment.
3. New Beginnings: Integrating the change into one's new identity.

She shares an anecdote about a leader who advanced to the "new beginnings" stage while her team was still grappling with "losses and endings," illustrating the importance of patience and empathy in leadership.

[23:35] Jennifer Selby Long: "So being patient and just reminding yourself you need to be patient with others and that impatience does no one any good is a pretty vital sign."

Do’s and Don’ts in Personal Change

Jennifer provides actionable strategies for individuals undergoing personal change:

• Do Secure Basic Survival Needs: Ensuring financial stability to ground oneself during change.

  [18:45] Jennifer Selby Long: "Secure your basic survival needs... This is really going to help to ground you in the moment."

• Do Build Hope: Envisioning a positive future to foster optimism about the change.

  [23:35] Jennifer Selby Long: "Build hope by envisioning what your life will look like... if the change turns out in the best possible way."

• Do Strengthen Personal Bonds: Collaborating with others to navigate change collectively.

  [24:56] Jennifer Selby Long: "Reach out and strengthen those personal bonds."

• Do Look for Hidden Gifts: Finding positive aspects in seemingly adverse situations.

Additionally, Jennifer warns against common pitfalls such as self-doubt and self-sabotage, especially during extended periods of transition and uncertainty.

[27:24] Jennifer Selby Long: "When you start to feel yourself self sabotage, sabotage, that's not you, that's the saboteur."

Personal Reflections and Coaching Insights

Jennifer shares her personal journey, including the challenges she faced when her second business encountered the dot-com bust and the 2008 economic collapse. These experiences deepen her empathy and understanding of the struggles her clients face, reinforcing her commitment to specialized coaching.

She also reflects on her own experiences with coaching, highlighting the transformative impact of working with specialized coaches who help her confront her limitations and enhance her leadership capabilities.

[13:44] Jennifer Selby Long: "A good coach helps you face yourself and look at those flat sides and not just the ways in which you're great... what got you here won't necessarily get you where you want to be next."

Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode

As the episode wraps up, Vince highlights the upcoming discussion on managing self-sabotage with insights from neuroscience, promising listeners valuable strategies for making career moves that align with their true aspirations rather than merely escaping unfavorable situations.

[27:24] Jennifer Selby Long: "It's not easy... it's something I've personally experienced and struggled with."

Vince encourages listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, and stay tuned for the next installment, ensuring that they continue their journey toward personal and professional transformation.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership and Personal Transformation: Effective leaders must undergo personal change to guide their teams successfully.

• Understanding Change Stages: Recognizing and navigating the stages of loss, transition, and new beginnings are crucial for both leaders and their teams.

• Building Hope and Strengthening Connections: Envisioning a positive future and fostering strong personal bonds can facilitate smoother transitions.

• Avoiding Self-Sabotage: Awareness of self-doubt and strategies to mitigate self-sabotage are essential for sustained personal and professional growth.

Quotes:

1. Jennifer Selby Long - "[04:37] I became an accidental change manager in the early 90s... digging into why on earth are they not executing this simple three step process."

2. Vince Chen - "[07:51] So you are helping a leader who sits at the center of a complex situation... while also guiding them on a more personal level."

3. Jennifer Selby Long - "[10:17] Technology has changed a great deal across time... technology actually works pretty darn well."

4. Jennifer Selby Long - "[18:45] There is a natural personal process of change..."

5. Jennifer Selby Long - "[23:35] So being patient and just reminding yourself you need to be patient with others."

6. Jennifer Selby Long - "[27:24] When you start to feel yourself self sabotage, sabotage, that's not you, that's the saboteur."

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for leaders and individuals alike, offering deep insights into the nature of change and the essential role of personal transformation in achieving lasting organizational success. Jennifer Selby Long's expertise provides listeners with practical strategies to navigate the complexities of change, making this episode a valuable resource for anyone committed to outgrowing themselves and embracing ambitious transformation.

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