When my new Prosci colleague Kathleen Nash tagged me in Shane Tyrell’s brilliant Linkedin post recently (no pressure, right?), it got me thinking about my own journey in change management—and how personal leadership has been at the heart of it all.

If you’re part of the Prosci Change Collective Group you’ll be able to see Shane’s post. If not, the essence centres on:

Walking Your Talk

Shane, you hit the nail on the head: credibility isn’t just about talking the talk—it’s about rolling up our sleeves and diving into the nitty-gritty of transformation.

Be like Shane.

Be like Kath.

Be YOU.

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Identity & Authenticity

And here’s the thing: our worth isn’t tied to whether everything goes perfectly—no matter how much we aim for excellence.

For me, the real question is, how are we leading change right now? Are we walking the talk when it comes to our organisation’s values? When the whole team is united and confident, navigating change becomes a whole lot smoother. And let’s be real—keeping that momentum going after go-live? That’s something we need to think about right from the start and carry through every step of the journey.

Relationship Building | Lasting Impact

This idea really hit home for me today. I attended a funeral for a man whose life clearly left a lasting impact. The stories shared weren’t about what he did but about how he made people feel—his genuine care and the legacy he left behind. It made me think: the work we do in change management is much the same. It’s transformational, not transactional. Our foundations matter. While we plan and measure, communicate and connect, it’s not about ticking boxes. As we implement frameworks—it’s about the relationships we build, the trust we foster, and the lives we touch along the way so those folks can get on with their purpose and ‘do change well’.

Be Intentional

That’s where Personal Leadership comes in. It’s not just about leading others; it’s about leading ourselves first, even when no one’s looking (especially then).

I published a leadership book in 2018 where I shared five simple but powerful principles for building trust and leading ourselves, using what I call the A.E.I.O.U. framework. And you know what? It’s just as relevant today as it was back then:

 

· A – Authenticity: Be the real you. People trust leaders whose words and actions match, even when they may not know you personally, things get tough, or they don’t have all the facts.

· E – Effort & Execution: It’s not just about having a plan; it’s about showing up every day and getting the job done. Turn up and turn on. A little sweat equity is good for our souls.

· I – Influence & Impact: Every little thing you do sends ripples. Lead with intention and know your influence reaches further than you think. Encourage one another, because it’s a big job we have!

· O – Opportunity & Opposition: Embrace the bumps in the road as much as the wins. Both shape who you are as a leader. Have some fun even on the toughest days.

· U – Unity: Change isn’t a one-person show. Bringing people together is what makes transformation stick. When working with leaders in organisations I ask them how their values align with those at work, and how might we rally others around those values to help pave the way for leaders to effectively sponsor change.

Shiny Happy ‘Tired’ People

I remember stepping into a big transformation project—the tech was shiny, but the teams were exhausted. Instead of diving straight into frameworks, I started with authenticity—sharing my own nerves about the change. Funny thing is, being honest didn’t weaken my role; it built trust faster than any slick presentation ever could. The outcome? Well that shiny tech ended up being rolled back, but capability and confidence grew in the enterprise change maturity and relationships were strengthened.

 

3 Takeaways

So, here’s my few cents:

📌 Lead yourself first: How you handle your own discomfort sets the tone for everyone else. Have a pit crew around you

📌 Ask better questions of yourself and others: Not just about the change, but about how you’re showing up in it. I had the odd cringe-worthy moments and learnt a lot.

📌 Celebrate small wins: Sometimes the biggest shifts come from the smallest moments—like when someone finally feels heard. Be bold and give yourself permission enjoy the work you do and love the company you’re in.

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Community matters

I’m still learning (aren’t we all?), but one thing’s for sure: being part of this Prosci Advisory team reminds me that leading change isn’t something you do alone. It’s a team effort, and we each bring our own unique strengths to the table.

So, what about you? What’s one personal leadership principle you lean on when navigating change in life?

 

#LeadingChange #ProsciANZ #TransformationLeadership #PersonalLeadership

About Tarran Deane | Change Management Strategist in Australia

Tarran Deane is a Change Management Specialist in Australia – Expert Leadership & Transformation Senior Advisor, renowned for helping organisations navigate complex transformations with structured planning, practical execution, and a touch of humour. Based on the Gold Coast, she partners with organisations across Brisbane, Northern New South Wales, and Canberra, bringing over 21 years of expertise in driving meaningful, measurable change.

As a PROSCI® enterprise certified practitioner and transformation specialist, Tarran works with leaders in the Public Sector, Finance, Tourism, Health and Not-for-Profit Disability, Aged Care, and Community Services industries. She is passionate about building organisational agility, empowering leaders to eliminate fear, embrace sustainable change, and delivering outcomes that align with long-term goals.

Through a select number of engagements, Tarran delivers:

• Change Management Consulting and contract engagements, typically spanning 1-3 years, focused on achieving long-term transformation goals.
• Executive Coaching for C-suite and senior leaders,
• Customised Training Programs designed to uplift change capability, and
• Keynote Speaking Presentations that inspire and inform audiences.
• Visit our Store to View Tarran’s resources

When she’s not consulting or facilitating, you’ll find Tarran cornering through the scenic hills of Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW on her Ducati 800 Monster motorcycle, spending time with family and friends, or cheering for her favourite riders during the MotoGP season on Kayo.

Connect with Tarran today at TarranDeane.com or on LinkedIn @TarranDeane to explore how she can support your organisation’s transformation journey.

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