Next Level Change Success

In this episode of Next Level Change Success, we explore one of the most overlooked drivers of successful change: cause and effect. While many organisations focus on outputs, the reality is that the quality of your change is determined by the inputs you prioritise. Therese breaks down three critical areas that directly influence your outcomes: planning, impact assessment, and learning. If you’ve ever felt like your change initiatives are reactive, chaotic, or harder than they need to be, this episode will give you some areas of cause where you can regain control. Learn how to create clarity, target your efforts, and build continuous improvement into your change approach, so you can deliver meaningful, people-centred outcomes every time. Interested in all things change management, change leadership and change intelligence based? Visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com

In this Episode Therese explores the real change experience through the lens of a Change leader, a Change Manager (Facilitator) and through the eyes of an individual who is being impacted by the change.   One link through the entire conversation is the need for empathy and understanding, more now than ever. Like what you hear?     Visit www.myvirtualchangemanager.com to develop your change skills.

Why do some change initiatives succeed while others fall flat? Even with the 'right' frameworks in place? In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese unpacks the three critical layers that truly determine success in change: You, the Framework, and experience. Drawing on over 20 years of real-world experience, Therese shares practical insights to help you: Improve your influence in complex environments Shift your mindset to unlock better outcomes Apply frameworks more effectively Build true change intelligence If you’re a project professional, leader, or practitioner navigating change, this episode will challenge how you think about your role and give you the tools to elevate your impact. Like what you hear and want to learn how to tip towards success when needing to introduce change, visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com  

Why do so many organisational change initiatives struggle to gain momentum? Often the answer isn’t strategy—it’s friction. In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese explores the four most common friction points that slow or derail change inside organisations. You’ll discover: • Why generic communication creates confusion during change • How a lack of feedback channels damages trust • The critical role leaders play in owning and advocating for change • Why co-design is essential for successful adoption If you work in projects, transformation, HR, operations, or leadership, this episode will give you practical insights to help you remove friction and build momentum in your change initiatives. Because when change becomes easier to experience, people are far more willing to embrace it. Looking to explore change and how it can be implemented well in organisations? Then come and visit www.myvirtualchangemanager.com to discover what change is when you take it deeper.

In this Episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese talks about the neverending 'grey' areas of change. If you are wanting to implement in a black and white way, with certainty and perfection you will be in for a rude shock and possibly experience neverending frustration. Some people will say things like 'they won't listen to me' or 'they don't understand change'. Therese covers this and ways in which you can reflect on your approach and handle the 'grey' areas of change management with finesse and flexibility still achieving your outcomes but in an easier way. So if you are in that situation, then have a listen and consider some of the ways in which you may take a different approach to achieve a different outcome. Like what you hear and keen to explore change in organisations? Come and visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com to learn all about change management, change leadership and influencing for change. 

In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese explores the deeper reality of leadership in change. If you’re a leader, or working closely with leaders, this episode unpacks the three critical roles leaders play in change and why the conversation around “sponsorship” is too shallow. You’ll discover: Why leadership in change is an ecosystem How peer alignment impacts performance The hidden cost of siloed leadership How everyday decisions create both intended and unconscious change Practical ways to develop your change intelligence If you want to influence better, lead stronger, and navigate enterprise complexity with confidence as a leader or change facilitator working with leaders, then this is a must listen episode. Want to know and learn more? Come to myvirtualchangemanager.com to find out more.

In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese explores the real risks of relying on bottom-up change strategies, especially in enterprise environments. If you’re struggling to gain traction with leadership and feel tempted to “just get it done” from the frontline, this episode is for you. You’ll learn: Why grassroots momentum isn’t enough for transformation How to respectfully engage leadership hierarchy The true purpose of escalation Practical strategies to secure leadership alignment without damaging trust The layered approach that creates sustainable change If you want your change initiatives to stick, not just move, press play. If you are leading, managing, or influencing for change, come and visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com to develop your change intelligence.

In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese Pares explores what really happens when you’re required to deliver change in high-pressure environments.  From stakeholder tension to economic demands, regulatory scrutiny, AI disruption and personal performance expectations, pressure is part of modern change delivery and leadership. You’ll learn: How to use the 'locus of control' method to manage overwhelm How to handle difficult stakeholders without losing energy Why emotional regulation is the core of change intelligence When to define boundaries and more importantly when to let go How to protect your performance through self-management If you work in projects, HR, compliance, risk, or corporate transformation, this episode will help you lead change more consciously and sustainably. Because performance without wellbeing is not success.

In this short but focused episode, Therese explores the way you can lead your organisation out of a change crisis, into a zone of change stability again. You will be stepped through some key areas of focus and action to take, so you can swing the change pendulum from chaos to calm. It might take time and concerted effort but it is possible, listen and learn how. If you want to continue your change journey and upskilling then come to myvirtualchangemanager.com and use our free tools, listen to more podcast episodes on change management and change leadership, or attend on of our courses.

Change leadership isn’t just about frameworks, plans, and communication, it’s about you. In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese explores the often-ignored reality of change resilience including personal energy, wellbeing, and emotional regulation required to lead change sustainably. You’ll learn: Why resilience is discovered during and after the change, not before it The hidden cost of leading change without protecting your energy How burnout undermines even “successful” change initiatives Practical ways to build change resilience through small, integrated habits This episode is essential listening for leaders, project professionals, and change practitioners navigating constant transformation who want to perform at a high level, without sacrificing themselves in the process.

In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese unpacks one of the most misunderstood debates in the change profession: whether change management should be considered a process or not. Drawing on 20+ years of real-world experience, she explains why process creates certainty, builds trust, and enables better outcomes — especially in complex, reactive environments. You’ll learn: Why deferring to the change process can assist change practitioners to create clarity The 4-stage change model that works in real organisations How documentation can help with clarity How to use AI ethically to support change Why who you are being matters as much as what you do If you work in projects, transformation, or continuous improvement programs this episode will change how you approach change.

What will change management look like in 2026 when Technology change is front and centre more than ever? In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese explores how AI, culture, and continuous transformation are reshaping organisations and why change capability is becoming a mandatory leadership skill. Perfect for project professionals and corporate support roles who want to influence better, lead change confidently, and perform at the next level.  This year, if you ever doubted whether having change leadership, change management or influential change skills were of value, we will see those who invest in developing these skills flourish. If you are understanding the urgency and want to avoid the frustration of introducing change that doesn't land, then come to www.myvirtualchangemanager.com to develop core change skills that will serve you in any role.

Change isn’t something you do, it's an experience. In this episode of Next Level Change Success, Therese explores why engagement rhythms, governance forums, and everyday interactions shape how change is experienced and adopted. Understanding and leveraging these rhythms should be part of your change management, change sponsorship and change leadership strategy. You’ll learn: Why engagement is about commitment, not communication How cadence and rhythm influence momentum The hidden role governance plays in trust and clarity Why stakeholder hierarchy still matters How to design engagement that scales Perfect for project managers, change practitioners, and corporate professionals who want to influence change more effectively with the best approach. Like what you hear? Subscribe, and come and visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com  

Welcome to Season 5 of Next Level Change Success, a podcast dedicated to covering all things related to Change Management, Change Leadership and influencing behavioural and cultural change in organisations. In this first episode of 2026, Therese Pares covers the predicted themes this year that will have an influence on your organisations ability to change fast. Whether it be change capacity, change capability or external influences and Artificial Intelligence, all organisations will require change management skills to be developed and embraced to be able to respond to the demands in 2026.  If 2026 is the year to get serious and upskill in Change Management, Change leadership or being able to introduce new ways of working into your organisation, then come and visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com  

Sure, it is hard to choose a favourite Episode of 2025, but Therese Pares chooses her favourite with an important message. Ensure your change is inclusive. Change Management is a practice which you get better at, with time, and with more awareness about differences, the challenges of managing or leading change well increase. However using some of the basic principles outlined in this episode you can achieve better results with any change you introduce.   Like what you hear? Come and visit us at www.myvirtualchangemanager.com and upskill in change management, change leadership or introducing change in a 'business as usual' context in an organisation.