CHANGE@WORK

Hosted by Daggerwing Group

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Jun 2025

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About the show

CHANGE@WORK is a podcast about the ever evolving world of work and the human behaviors that drive it. Chris Thornton, Senior Principal at Daggerwing Group, hosts and discusses what we've learned as change consultants with partners, clients and leading experts from a variety of industries. Tune in every month as we share what's happening in the world of work, how leaders can prepare for the future, and how to engage employees along the way.

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41 recent

June 18, 2025Episode 4123 min

Building Healthy Cultures of Accountability with Michael Timms

Michael Timms is a leadership consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of "How Leaders Can Inspire Accountability". Through his work at Avail Leadership, Michael has helped thousands of senior leaders enhance team performance at organizations like Microsoft to RBC. His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, CNBC, and more. Michael joins host Chris Thornton in this episode of Change@Work to unpack why most leaders get accountability wrong and how blame kills performance. They break down 3 leadership habits to build a culture where people take ownership, solve problems, and deliver results.

May 7, 2025Episode 4026 min

Communicating Effectively in a Time of Change with Ben Feller

In today's fast-moving business environment, leaders are facing a communication crisis—too many acronyms, too much noise, and too little clarity. In this episode, Chris Thornton sits down with Ben Feller, former White House correspondent and partner at maslansky + partners, to talk about the power of language in driving change. Ben shares lessons from his time covering two U.S. presidents, coaching executives, and even parenting—revealing why it's not what you say, but what they hear that truly matters. He breaks down how companies can avoid communication pitfalls, engage employees in times of uncertainty, and navigate hot-button topics like DEI and ESG without losing their audience. Plus, hear why so many leaders make the mistake of assuming people understand their message—and what to do instead. Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, or just trying to get people on board with a new idea, this conversation will help you rethink the way you communicate.

October 2, 2024Episode 3922 min

Operationalizing Sustainability Efforts with Tiana Ritchell

Tiana Ritchell is a Principal at Daggerwing Group and expert at operationalizing ESG & sustainability strategies. She has worked with General Mills and other partners to achieve their ambitious goals. In this episode of Change@Work, Tiana and host Chris Thornton explore the significant challenges organizations are facing when it comes to making their sustainability and ESG goals a reality. How does an organization prioritize their efforts? How can you ensure that leaders are bought into the changes that need to happen? Tiana shares how successful organizations are pushing past communications plans to engage with all areas of the business in a way that sets clear accountabilities while also providing the resources and education so people across the organization can meet their new sustainability expectations. Learn more at DoChangeRight.com.

June 10, 2024Episode 3826 min

CHANGE@WORK, Episode 38: Changing the Climate One Acre of Ocean At a Time

Dr Brian von Herzen, Founder and Executive Director of the Climate Foundation – a nonprofit organization dedicated to regenerating ocean ecosystems through marine permaculture technology — joins this episode of Change@Work. He and host, Chris Thornton, discuss how his work addresses gaps in food security caused by climate disruption, how his background as a Systems Engineer inspired him to tackle one of humanity's most pressing challenges, and what gives him hope today for the future of our oceans and planet.

May 2, 2024Episode 3742 min

CHANGE@WORK, Episode 37: Navigating Change Implementation

Dr. Mary Barnes is the Founder and CEO of Evolve Your Performance, a consultancy that aims to empower executives to deliver transformational change and maximize employee potential. With a doctorate in human and organizational learning and over two decades of experience, Mary developed the Transformation Reset Audit as a tool for clients navigating change implementation. In this episode of Change@Work, she and host Chris Thornton explore 14 common pitfalls that derail change initiatives, strategies for getting change back on course, and practical tips for measuring progress without surveys.

March 20, 2024Episode 3627 min

CHANGE@WORK, Episode 36: Selecting Foods for a More Sustainable Future

Sara Polon, Co-Founder and CEO of Soupergirl -- a natural, plant-based, kosher, and sustainably sourced soup company -- joins this episode of Change@Work. The comedian-turned-food entrepreneur and host, Chris Thornton discuss Sara's journey to soup-making, the challenges and joys of being a small business owner in the food and beverage industry, and the role consumers play in creating a more sustainable and equitable future when buying packaged foods.

January 30, 2024Episode 3528 min

CHANGE@WORK, Episode 35: Helping Leaders to Operationalize Growth

Susan Odle is the Founder & CEO of 8020CS — a strategic consultancy that helps leaders and leadership teams learn how to successfully operationalize strategic plans and change initiatives. She is also the author of a new book, Successful Change: A Field Guide to Operationalizing Change that Drives Growth, Profitability, and Operational Efficiency. In this episode of Change@Work, she and host Chris Thornton, discuss her career journey through the tech and private equity industries, how GenAI is disrupting the workplace, and the importance of humanity and transparent communication in business. As an extra bonus, enjoy her Sara Bareilles Spotify playlist here.

January 8, 2024Episode 3422 min

CHANGE@WORK, Episode 34: Positioning Education as a Business Imperative

Justin van Fleet, President of Theirworld and Executive Director of the Global Business Coalition for Education, joins us on this episode of Change@Work. He and host, Chris Thornton, discuss the important role businesses play in the education system, how investing in education can help companies to achieve their ESG goals, and outlines key examples of how some of the world's largest organizations are investing in education now.

November 29, 202337 min

CHANGE@WORK, Episode 33: Navigating Disruption Through Deep Collaboration

Dr Tanvi Gautam, MD, Founder of Leadershift Inc., Global HR influencer, Program director & faculty at Singapore Management University (ExD) and author joins us for this episode of Change@Work. She and host, Chris Thornton, discuss the framework for her new book, Deep Collaboration: 5 crucial conversations to accelerate performance across silos (2024), where the field of human-centric change is headed, and the need to embrace the uncomfortable to fuel our own growth.

October 19, 202326 min

CHANGE@WORK, Episode 32: Pouring into Sustainability - From Seed to Cup

Natalie Webb, founder and Executive Director of Cafecita Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster that sources all beans from sustainable, women-owned coffee farms and co-ops, joins us for this episode of Change@Work. She and host, Chris Thornton, delve into how Natalie's unique experience as a human rights lawyer drove her to create a business that prioritizes sustainable practices and empowers gender equality for female coffee producers.