Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Colin Savage: A Change Addict’s Quest Across Borders—From Canada to Japan and Beyond — Part Two
Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Colin Savage
Release Date: November 28, 2024

Introduction

In the second installment of a compelling three-part series, Vince Chan engages with Colin Savage, a self-proclaimed "change addict" turned change guru. Building on Colin's extensive global journey through career transformations across continents and industries, this episode delves deeper into his experiences, insights on change management, and his evolving perspectives on learning and personal growth.

Colin’s Transformation in Japan

[05:15] Colin Savage shares his enriching experience working in Japan with a Japanese life insurance company operating in Brazil. He highlights the unique cultural dynamics and the significant presence of Brazilian minorities in Japan, who bring a blend of Japanese work culture into their roles.

“Change, individual, team and otherwise, comes from talk doing a lot of promotion... Japan is a lot about individual conversation to get support or get direction.”
— Colin Savage at [05:15]

Colin emphasizes the importance of measured and planned change within traditional cultures. Success in implementing change, he explains, requires research-driven strategies and building a groundswell of support through meaningful conversations and strategic promotions. His two-year endeavor not only led to successful business outcomes but also debunked the misconception that traditional organizations are averse to change.

Challenges of Implementing Change in Canada

Transitioning to his experience back in Canada, Colin discusses his role in a traditional marketing company where he was brought in as a catalyst for change. Despite initial enthusiasm, the entrenched legacy and unwillingness of the organization to embrace significant transformations led to his eventual departure.

“I was in a role where change was in my title. But I couldn't do anything... it ended up being a failure for myself.”
— Colin Savage at [10:45]

This episode underscores a critical lesson: Organizational support from leadership is essential for successful change initiatives. Without genuine commitment and trust in the change leader, efforts remain futile, highlighting the importance of aligning personal drive with organizational readiness.

Lifelong Learning vs. Skill Stacking

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the evolving concepts of lifelong learning and skill stacking. Vince questions Colin's view on lifelong learning, prompting a rich debate on the efficacy and focus of these educational philosophies.

[16:07] Colin Savage critiques lifelong learning as an outdated concept due to its lack of focus, advocating instead for skill stacking. He describes skill stacking as a purposeful merging of diverse skills to build expertise that can be applied across various domains.

“Lifelong learning, I think it's an outdated concept and it lacks focus... skill stacking is a little more concentrated and it will help you really build expertise.”
— Colin Savage at [18:15]

Vince Chan offers a complementary perspective, viewing lifelong learning as an attitudinal commitment to growth, while skill stacking involves integrating diverse skills to solve complex challenges effectively.

“The missing piece is less about technical skills and more about human skills... It's not about the tools themselves, it's about what you build with them.”
— Vince Chan at [25:50]

Together, they argue that the future of personal and professional development lies in combining human skills like emotional intelligence and critical thinking with technical abilities, ensuring that skills are not just acquired but also interconnected and practically applied.

Personal Life and Collaborative Change

The conversation also touches on the impact of professional change on personal life, with both hosts sharing their experiences. Colin discusses the importance of involving family in decisions about change, ensuring that transformations are collective and considerate of everyone's perspectives.

“Now we're sitting around in Canada and we're thinking, so what's the next step? And my first step now is to go and talk to my two teenage sons and my wife...”
— Colin Savage at [14:04]

Similarly, Vince relates this to advising young professionals, emphasizing that change often involves multiple stakeholders and requires open communication to navigate potential conflicts and align everyone's goals.

Final Insights and Conclusions

As the episode concludes, Colin and Vince reinforce the idea that successful change management is a blend of strategic planning, cultural understanding, and human-centric skills. Colin’s journey from embracing change compulsively to adopting a more measured, strategic approach offers listeners valuable lessons on navigating both organizational and personal transformations.

“We can't just throw an idea at people and expect a yes or no. You've got to research your idea... find the kind and sport of voices.”
— Colin Savage at [05:15]

“It's about connecting the dots between those skills and leveraging them in meaningful ways to multiply the impact.”
— Vince Chan at [25:50]

Key Takeaways

1. Strategic Change Requires Research and Support: Successful change initiatives are grounded in thorough research and built upon strong, supportive relationships within the organization.

2. Organizational Readiness is Crucial: Leadership commitment and organizational readiness are essential for implementing and sustaining change.

3. Skill Stacking Over Traditional Learning: Integrating diverse skills purposefully (skill stacking) offers a more focused and impactful approach compared to the broad, unfocused nature of lifelong learning.

4. Human Skills Enhance Technical Abilities: The integration of human-centric skills like emotional intelligence and critical thinking with technical skills leads to more effective problem-solving and innovation.

5. Collaboration in Personal Change: Involving family and other personal stakeholders in change decisions ensures that transformations are harmonious and collectively supported.

Conclusion

This episode of Chief Change Officer provides a deep dive into the nuanced art of managing change both professionally and personally. Colin Savage's experiences across different cultures and industries, coupled with the insightful dialogue with Vince Chan, offer listeners actionable strategies and profound reflections on harnessing change as a superpower. Whether you're navigating organizational transformations or personal life shifts, the lessons shared here aim to empower you to become a Chief Change Officer in your own right.

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