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We Can’t Avoid Change

Margit Takacs Author Interview

CHANGE MATTERS: Stories About Taming the Corporate Jungle and Leading Transformation shares with readers your experience working as a Global Management Change Director and the lessons you learned. Why was this an important book for you to write?

Over the years, many of my clients and former colleagues have told me that those real-life stories, and examples were the best illustrations to demonstrate what my “teachings” are about. It is not just about the theory but about the practical application that catches my stakeholders’ mind and heart. Taking the time to gather those stories, learnings, and shaping them into a book was a truly insightful experience and journey, and I am glad that through this book, I can continue spreading the word for what I believe about why Change Matters in new ways!

What is a common misconception you feel people have about change management?

  • That it is common sense (which it is)… yet it is not common practice. We need to simplify and relate!
  • Resistance is negative: at first, it might be seen that way, indeed, but we can harness it positively and build on those insights very well.
  • One size fits all. While I have managed and consulted on dozens of change and transformation initiatives, there are lots of nuances, and there is no one roadmap to success. It is a collaborative approach.
  • Change management is about communication: yes and no. So many leaders think about communications, beautiful posters in the offices and warehouses. It is just one element. Capability building or training is another. However, intentional stakeholder management is the basis for good change management. The three come together.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

  • We live in a constantly changing world; we can’t avoid change.
  • To survive, we need to adapt, and it does not have to be difficult. Acknowledge the challenges and the learnings, and manage the change for yourself first so that you can then support others through the emotional cycle of change, too!
  • Without a strong, visible, and active executive change leadership, one would lose the essential compass to success.
  • There are many change tools out there but what matters is to rely on our inner wisdom and intuition and then use the tools to make them more tangible.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?

They have everything it takes to succeed in leading the change, they need to listen to their inner wisdom and rely on good practices.

Author Links: Website | LinkedIn

Change Matters is an insightful look into the career and learnings of Margit Takacs, a Global Change Director (now in private practice) who uses storytelling as a way to share her knowledge of change management principles. Refreshingly honest in its approach, this book uses the authors’ real-life experiences to help readers understand the “common sense, but not commonly practised” principles of change management in the modern era. Packed with helpful change learnings, readers are given a candid glimpse behind the scenes as Margit Takacs shares her change experience built up from her career spanning twenty-two countries. Readers will find actionable advice on managing and driving cross-cultural change built on actual experience and fit for purpose in the modern era.

CHANGE MATTERS: Stories About Taming the Corporate Jungle and Leading Transformation

Change is an inevitable and often complex facet of life, impacting every corner from personal growth to corporate dynamics. In CHANGE MATTERS: Stories About Taming the Corporate Jungle and Leading Transformation, Margit Takacs offers a unique exploration of this universal phenomenon, guiding readers through the intricacies of organizational change with a blend of personal insight and professional expertise.

Takacs’s approach is both enlightening and accessible, breaking down complex corporate concepts into understandable terms. She adopts a personal tone, weaving her own experiences with broader human-centered narratives to illustrate key lessons on change management. This book isn’t just a collection of theories; it’s a window into Takacs’s professional journey, sharing her triumphs, setbacks, and the invaluable lessons gleaned from both. Her candidness in discussing personal vulnerabilities is particularly commendable, adding a layer of authenticity and connection for the reader.

Each chapter of the book is a reservoir of wisdom for professionals across the spectrum – from those in the corporate world to budding entrepreneurs. Particularly impactful are discussions on preemptive problem-solving and strategic decision-making. These sections don’t just advise but challenge readers to engage in critical thinking and consider the long-term implications of their actions. Takacs’s writing is not only thought-provoking but resonates deeply, encouraging a reflective and foresighted approach to leadership. Beyond the confines of professional development, Takacs extends her guidance to personal growth and fostering positive change. Her holistic view of leadership encompasses not only the skills to lead others but also the introspection and adaptability required to grow continuously. She pushes readers to look beyond the immediate, to consider the broader horizon of the future and its possibilities.

The essence of Takacs’s message is perhaps best encapsulated by the John F. Kennedy quote she references: “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” CHANGE MATTERS is a mentor in print, urging its readers to embrace change, to learn and lead with an open mind, and to envision a future shaped by informed, intentional decisions. It’s an essential read for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of change in any aspect of life.

Pages: 185 | ASIN : B0CBCV8WP7

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