Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary
Episode: Colin Savage: Change Junkie on a Global Tour—Swapping Comfort for Chaos – Part Two
Release Date: February 10, 2025

Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Colin Selvich

Introduction to the Episode

In the second part of his three-part series with Colin Selvich, Vince Chan delves deeper into the dynamics of embracing change both professionally and personally. Building upon the foundations laid in the first episode, this installment explores the intricate balance between organizational transformation and personal reinvention, emphasizing the profound impact of collaborative decision-making in the face of change.

Navigating Organizational Change

Vince Chan initiates the conversation by probing Colin's extensive experience in guiding organizations through transformations. He poses a critical question:

Vince Chan [05:35]: "What have you learned from these consulting projects and organizational change initiatives that could apply to individual situations? Are there lessons from these business cases that also resonate on a personal level, especially when we face dilemmas or crossroads in our own lives?"

Colin Selvich responds by sharing a compelling anecdote from his tenure in Japan:

Colin Selvich [07:15]: "It took two years, but the change did happen. And it was actually a real shining example of just because you think a culture and a group of people are traditional in their practices doesn't mean they're averse to change."

He elaborates on the meticulous approach required to implement change in a traditionally structured environment like Japan. Colin emphasizes the importance of:

• Strategic Planning: Researching ideas thoroughly before proposing changes.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding and respecting existing cultural norms to gain support.
• Collaborative Efforts: Engaging with supportive voices within the organization to build momentum.

Colin contrasts this with his experience in Canada, where despite being recruited specifically as a change agent, the entrenched legacy of high revenue and profit margins hindered meaningful transformation:

Colin Selvich [10:50]: "They were hooked on a legacy of very high revenue and high profit margin and they weren't willing... even though they had all of the support, allegedly support from people above and their ownership and others, they were incredibly reluctant to do it."

This experience underscored for Colin the necessity of aligning personal definitions of change with those of the organization to ensure successful implementation.

Personal Dynamics in Embracing Change

Transitioning from organizational scenarios to personal contexts, Vince Chan relates Colin's professional challenges to familial decision-making:

Vince Chan [12:25]: "When I used to help younger professionals plan their MBA career paths, many of them would ask me... Should you apply to this school or that school?... It creates conflict. And that's not unlike what happens in a business setting."

Colin Selvich resonates deeply with this parallel, sharing his own journey of integrating his family's perspectives into his constant pursuit of change:

Colin Selvich [14:25]: "I have basically dragged my partner and then our kids around the world... now it's more like a collective. So now we're sitting around in Canada and we're thinking, so what's the next step?"

He highlights the importance of inclusive dialogue within the family to navigate the complexities of frequent relocations and career shifts, ensuring that each member's voice is heard and considered.

Lifelong Learning vs. Skill Stacking

A pivotal segment of the episode revolves around the concept of lifelong learning and Colin's advocacy for skill stacking as a more focused and impactful approach to personal and professional development.

Vince Chan introduces the topic by acknowledging the proliferation of degrees and certifications:

Vince Chen [18:23]: "Do you consider yourself a lifelong learner?... you've shared some interesting ideas with me about skill stacking and how that might offer a more impactful approach."

Colin Selvich critiques the traditional notion of lifelong learning, arguing that it often lacks focus and fails to integrate diverse skills effectively:

Colin Selvich [19:58]: "Lifelong learning is an outdated concept in this then it lacks focus for some people where the skill stacking is a little more concentrated and it will help you really build that piece."

He narrates his own educational journey, spanning multiple disciplines and countries, to illustrate the challenges of connecting disparate areas of knowledge without a purposeful pathway. Colin advocates for a more strategic approach to learning, where skills are intentionally stacked to build upon each other, enhancing their applicability and relevance.

Vince Chan offers a complementary perspective, emphasizing the importance of the attitude towards learning and the integration of soft skills with technical abilities:

Vince Chen [27:33]: "Lifelong learning isn't just about acquiring new knowledge. It's about figuring out how you learn best... The missing piece is less about technical skills and more about human skills, what most people call soft skills."

He underscores that while acquiring a multitude of skills is valuable, the true impact lies in connecting and applying these skills cohesively to solve complex problems, rather than simply accumulating tools.

Colin Selvich concurs, adding nuance to the discussion by differentiating between personal enrichment and professional skill acquisition:

Colin Selvich [31:26]: "Skill stacking, those are skills stacked for my calling the person... I purposely keep it separate. And that's the same thing of the musical instruments that happen to be gathering dust unfortunately in the back of my room."

He emphasizes the necessity of distinguishing between skills pursued for personal passion and those intended for professional advancement, advocating for intentionality in how each set of skills is developed and utilized.

Key Takeaways and Insights

1. Strategic Organizational Change:

   • Thorough Planning: Successful change requires meticulous research and strategic planning.
   • Cultural Sensitivity: Respecting and understanding organizational culture is crucial.
   • Collaborative Support: Building a coalition of supportive voices can drive successful transformation.

2. Personal Impact of Change:

   • Inclusive Decision-Making: Engaging all stakeholders, including family members, ensures smoother personal transitions.
   • Balancing Personal and Professional Aspirations: Aligning individual goals with collective needs fosters harmony during periods of change.

3. Redefining Learning Paradigms:

   • Skill Stacking Over Lifelong Learning: Focusing on intentionally building interconnected skills enhances their applicability.
   • Integration of Soft and Technical Skills: Combining human-centric skills with technical abilities leads to more effective problem-solving.
   • Purposeful Application: The true value of skills lies in their cohesive application to real-world scenarios.

Concluding Thoughts

The episode culminates with Colin expressing gratitude for the insightful dialogue, while Vince encourages listeners to subscribe and engage with the community for ongoing transformation and growth.

Vince Chen [34:47]: "Thank you so much for joining us today... Until next time, take care."

Notable Quotes

• Colin Selvich [05:35]: "If you find enough supportive voices, you'll get the groundswell and you'll be able to do it."
• Vince Chen [27:33]: "It's not about the tools themselves, it's about what you build with them."
• Colin Selvich [31:26]: "Skill stacking... is able to interact with others, is able to be empathetic, show emotional intelligence."

Final Remarks

This episode of Chief Change Officer offers a rich exploration of the multifaceted nature of change, both within organizations and personal lives. Colin Selvich's experiences serve as a testament to the importance of strategic planning, cultural understanding, and the intentional development of interconnected skills. Vince Chan and Colin collectively advocate for a more focused and integrated approach to learning and transformation, equipping listeners with the insights needed to harness change as a true superpower.

For more episodes and insights on embracing change, follow Chief Change Officer on LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.