Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary

Episode: Colin Savage: A Change Addict’s Quest Across Borders—From Canada to Japan and Beyond — Part One
Host: Vince Chan
Release Date: November 27, 2024

Introduction to Colin Savage’s Journey

In the inaugural episode of the three-part series featuring Colin Savage, host Vince Chan delves deep into Colin’s transformative journey from a self-proclaimed "change addict" to a seasoned "change guru." Colin’s extensive career, spanning over two decades across seven countries and contributing to projects in more than 70 nations, serves as a testament to his mastery in embracing and driving change both personally and professionally.

Notable Quote:

Vince Chan [02:29]: "This is a three-part series with Colin Selvage. In part one, the first episode, we'll dive into Colin's fascinating journey as a self-proclaimed change addict turned change guru."

From Regina to the World: Early Life and Career Beginnings

Colin Babbage introduces himself, sharing his roots from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. After graduating with degrees in liberal arts and English literature, Colin felt the urge to explore beyond his hometown. This drive led him to Asia in the early '90s, where he embarked on a 20-year international career that would see him living and working across various continents.

Notable Quote:

Colin Babbage [05:37]: "I left and lived overseas for 20 years. During the early '90s in Saskatchewan, a lot of people looked for opportunities elsewhere... But I needed to go, I needed to go somewhere else."

Embracing Change: The Making of a Change Addict

Colin candidly discusses his inclination towards constant change, describing himself as a "change addict." This trait fueled his moves across countries and industries, from telecommunications in the UK to financial services influenced by the fintech boom in Japan. His perpetual quest for novelty and growth often meant diving headfirst into unfamiliar territories without a concrete plan, driven by ambition and the thrill of the unknown.

Notable Quote:

Colin Babbage [09:16]: "I really was a change addict in a sense. When I left Canada in 1994, I just threw caution to the wind and went hit Thailand. I packed the suitcase, I went there. I had no idea about the language, culture, the working environment or anything."

The Duality of Change: Addiction vs. Purposeful Transformation

Vince probes deeper into Colin’s self-description as both a "change addict" and a "change guru." Colin reflects on the fine line between being addicted to change for novelty’s sake and pursuing change with strategic intent. He emphasizes the importance of thoughtful planning behind each transition to ensure that changes lead to meaningful growth rather than mere restlessness.

Notable Quote:

Colin Babbage [15:54]: "You can try different things while you're doing something else that allows you to do that exploration if you're just doing it because somebody has slighted you. When I was in Myanmar, I just woke up one day and said, I have $300, I'm a very good life... So why don't I just go?"

Lessons from Organizational Change Initiatives

Drawing from his extensive experience in guiding firms through transformations, Colin shares valuable insights that are equally applicable to personal growth. He discusses common misconceptions about change, such as the idea that embracing change automatically equates to success. Instead, he advocates for strategic and measured approaches to change, highlighting the necessity of defining success beyond conventional metrics like sales or revenue.

Notable Quote:

Colin Babbage [20:57]: "Embracing change for success is fine, but don't do it just for the sake of success because the true impact really comes when you are guiding strategic and focused change."

Cultural Nuances in Change Management: A Case Study from Japan

Colin recounts his time working with a traditional Japanese life insurance company, illustrating how deeply ingrained cultural practices can influence organizational change. Despite Japan’s reputation for traditionalism, Colin successfully spearheaded a business initiative by connecting unique market insights in Brazil’s growing minority population. This experience underscored the importance of research, cultural understanding, and incremental change in achieving organizational transformation.

Notable Quote:

Colin Babbage [25:10]: "Just because you think a culture and a group of people are traditional in their practices doesn't mean they're averse to change. You just need to be strategic and researched in what you want to change."

Navigating Change Resistance: The Downfall of a Change Guru

In contrast to his success in Japan, Colin shares a challenging experience with a traditional Canadian marketing company. Despite strong initial support, the organization’s reluctance to fully embrace his disruptive initiatives led to a stalemate. This episode highlights the critical importance of organizational readiness and the alignment of change initiatives with the broader corporate vision.

Notable Quote:

Colin Babbage [29:15]: "When the entire organization has been dictated change and not really trusting of the person who's supposed to pilot it, then it’s not going to happen."

Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

As the episode wraps up, Vince summarizes Colin’s unique perspective on change, setting the stage for the subsequent parts of the series. Colin’s experiences offer a rich blend of successes and setbacks, providing listeners with actionable insights on navigating both personal and organizational transformations.

Notable Quote:

Vince Chan [30:20]: "Colin unpacked his unique perspective on change. Change addict turned change guru. From leaving Canada with nothing but a suitcase and ambition to navigating industries from telecommunications to financial services. Colin shared how the constant evolution around him became his greatest teacher."

What to Expect Next

In Part Two of the series, listeners can look forward to an exploration of the learning processes essential for transformation. Colin will delve into why he believes lifelong learning is outdated and how skill stacking represents the future of continuous personal and professional development. Part Three promises a discussion on the intersection of AI and human intelligence, emphasizing the necessity of a personal AI strategy in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

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Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Colin Babbage

Note: Times in brackets [] denote the timestamp from the transcript where the quote or discussion occurs.