Mastering Strategic Change - with Dan Roberts
Episode 216
What We Covered
Ever watched a company throw shiny new technology at their teams, only to see the whole initiative crash and burn? That's exactly what Dan Roberts and I dig into in this conversation about why over 70% of business changes fail—and more importantly, how to be in the successful 30%.
Dan brings a refreshing perspective to change management, blending behavioral psychology with real-world business experience. His journey from questioning whether his sales team could actually deliver on promises to becoming a strategic change advisor reveals a fundamental truth: most organizations are terrible at change because they forget about the humans involved.
The Golden Nugget: Slow Down to Speed Up
Here's the counterintuitive wisdom Dan shares: when companies finally decide to change (or are "voluntold" to change, as he puts it), they tend to go from resistant to recklessly fast. It's like watching someone afraid of the pool suddenly attempt a triple backflip. Dan's advice? Take a breath. Be intentional. Create a plan that actually considers the people who'll be living with these changes every day.
Dan and I go on to discuss the "horror theater of the mind" — that tendency we all have to imagine the absolute worst outcomes when facing change. Dan's antidote is beautifully simple: help people see what's in it for them. Not in a manipulative way, but by genuinely connecting changes to pain points they already recognize.
The Lighthouse Principle
At one point in our conversation I brought up one of my favorite metaphors: imagine being at sea without a lighthouse. You're just floundering around, completely lost. But point your ship toward that lighthouse — your ideal future state — and suddenly you have direction. The key isn't obsessing over the five-year plan (because honestly, who knows what the world will look like in five years?). It's about knowing your direction and taking it one day at a time.
Dan's "win the day" philosophy complements this. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the big picture or paralyzed by past failures, Dan suggests it better to focus on today's progress. Plan the work, work the plan, don't plan the results. It's almost zen-like in its simplicity, yet profoundly practical.
Language Matters (More Than You Think)
One of the most actionable insights comes from our discussion about messaging. We've both seen well-meaning leaders accidentally terrorize their teams with poorly chosen words. The difference between calling an environment "volatile" versus "fluid"? One creates panic, the other suggests flexibility.
Dan even shares how he got "a little older, a little more cocky" and started insisting that no messaging went out without his review. Why? Because he'd seen too many leaders accidentally create chaos with a single carelessly worded email.
The Reality Check
Perhaps the most honest moment comes when we acknowledge the elephant in the room: the media loves disaster stories, employees remember past failures, and everyone's already on edge. Dan's response? Create a bubble of calm. Be the lighthouse yourself. You can't control the chaos outside, but you can control how your team experiences change.
Our conversation wraps with a powerful reminder: in a world of constant disruption, those who build resilience and learn to navigate change aren't just surviving—they're developing the most valuable leadership skill of our time.
Connect with Dan Roberts
Website: impactfulperformance.com
Book: "Optimize Your Leadership: An Impactful and Healthy Way to Lead in the New Age"
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/impactfulperformance/
The Bottom Line
Change doesn't have to be the monster under the bed. With the right approach—one that prioritizes people, uses thoughtful communication, and takes things one bite of the elephant at a time—transformation can actually become a growth opportunity. Just remember: slow down to speed up, and for heaven's sake, check your messaging before you hit send.
The Executive Edge delivers practical wisdom for navigating leadership challenges. Available on all major podcast platforms.
