First Time Facilitator FTF229: Dancing with Workshop Disruption with Jeff Skipper
In today's episode, I'm delighted to introduce our guest, Jeff Skipper. Jeff and I have been colleagues for the past couple of years, sharing insights in our growth cycle mastermind group. We've connected virtually every two weeks and had the pleasure of meeting in person during a memorable gathering in Hawaii, part of Alan Weiss's community.
About Jeff Skipper
Jeff Skipper is a recognised expert in accelerating change with over 25 years of experience. He has worked with renowned clients such as IBM, Suncor, Goldman Sachs, and the Salvation Army, helping them achieve remarkable results in their strategic transformation efforts by infusing complex change with a motivating mission.
Jeff possesses a unique talent for creating impactful activities and workshops. He excels at breaking down complex challenges and reengineering them into practical solutions. Exciting news for our listeners, Jeff is currently working on a workshop booklet that will feature his top 30 change activities.
During our conversation, we delve into the essential aspects of driving and leading change. Jeff underscores the significance of visible leadership, especially in today's virtual landscape where meaningful connections can be a challenge. We also explore opportunities for meaningful in-person connections and how they contribute to the success of change initiatives.
Jeff is the author of the insightful book, "Dancing with Disruption."
In this podcast episode, you'll learn:
- The role of emotions in leading change
- Practical strategies for engaging people during times of disruption.
- How leaders can inspire trust and commitment in their teams
- The significance of consistency in messaging,
- The contagious nature of both resistance and enthusiasm in organisational change.
Quotes from the Episode:
- "It's hard to generate that level of excitement until you're out there, shaking hands with people, patting them on the back, and telling them they're doing a good job."
- "Even if your organization's life depends on it, not everyone's gonna get on board. So what do you need to do?"
- "It's important to give people space to connect. When we have an hour to just talk and unpack things, that's where we really start to connect and build levels of trust."
- "You're trying to engage people on an emotional level. Yes, I need to help them build new competencies to navigate a change, but I'm trying to keep a positive viewpoint around what's going to happen."
- "If I dip my toe in the water, it's going to be safe. Again, the role of leaders is to create that safety for people."
Links and Resources:
- Jeff Skipper's Website
- Jeff Skipper's Book: "Dancing with Disruption"
- Connect with Jeff Skipper on LinkedIn
Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.
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(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).