Change management, transformation, and leading through chaos are no longer just moments in time before things “settle back to normal.” Today, change is a constant—impacting businesses, communities, and our personal lives.
As the year unfolds, many of us are holding our breath. What will the impact of President Trump’s policies be on US-based companies operating in Australia and globally? Will Australia see a change in government, and what will that mean? What’s happening with interest rates, and will they boost or dampen consumer confidence?
Beyond the external factors, personal change and chaos can also impact us, our leaders, and our teams. As much as we try to keep work and personal life separate, the reality is that challenges in one area inevitably affect the other.
I love change and chaos, and it is fair to say that we, at Peeplcoach, thrive on change. We move fast, and we embrace the messiness that comes with it—we call ourselves “squishy.” But over the holiday break, I was faced with a personal health issue that forced me to transform how I work and live. This shift rippled across every aspect of my life—home, work, and beyond.
Yet, in crisis, there is an opportunity for clarity. When you’re forced to pause, you get a chance to focus on what truly matters. Through this experience, I’ve had to double down on many of the leadership principles we emphasise in our coaching programs. And what I’ve learned is this: chaos and crisis create an opportunity to identify what is critical and make bold, necessary changes.
The Principles That Helped Me Navigate Change
1. Prioritisation
At Peeplcoach, we live by Stephen Covey’s Big Rock Theory. Every morning, before committing to a task, I ask myself:
- How critical is this? Will it genuinely move the dial for the business, our team, our clients, or participants?
- If I say yes, what’s the cost? What do I have to say no to?
- What’s the impact on me, my team, or others?
- Who else can do this?
- Am I doing this out of obligation, habit, or something else?
Focusing on tasks that create a 10-20% impact (instead of minor 1% improvements) has been a game-changer.
2. Courageous Conversations: Radical Candor in Action
One of my favorite models is Kim Scott’s Radical Candor.
As a leader, and in life, prioritisation only works if you’re willing to have tough conversations—with yourself and others. This means:
- Overcoming the fear of letting go and accepting that you don’t need to do everything.
- Challenging assumptions, needs, and requests from others.
- Asking whether you’re fixing others’ mistakes unnecessarily.
- Recognising when you’re taking on too much—whether at work or at home (yes, even if it’s always you replacing the toilet roll or buying the milk).
3. Be Vulnerable & Ask for Help
Many of us want to be seen as having everything under control. But no one can do it all—especially when life throws curveballs. Asking for help isn’t a weakness; it’s a leadership skill.
4. Delegate, Empower & Trust
Effective leaders delegate. If you struggle with this, Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy is a great read. Surrounding yourself with the right people is key—if you don’t trust your team, ask yourself why. Do they need more training? Are your instructions unclear? Do you have the right people with the right skills and attitude? At home, do you have the right support systems, who is there for you?
Delegation helps you:
- Focus on what truly matters.
- Develop your leadership and technical skills.
- Support your team’s growth through hands-on learning.
- Achieve better business results—innovation and commitment flourish in empowered teams.
- Get more done—because, as they say, many hands make light work.
5. Stop Feeling Guilty
This one is tough. I feel guilty about not pulling my weight at home and at work. I feel guilty that I can’t deliver like I used to. But guilt is wasted energy. There’s no quick fix—just a reminder that it serves no real purpose.
6. Self-Compassion vs. Self-Care
Paul Gilbert defines self-compassion as “a basic kindness, with a deep awareness of suffering—both of oneself and others—coupled with the wish and effort to relieve it”(Gilbert, 2009)
This is different from self-care which is defined as “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health – autonomy in self-care and insulin administration”
Self-care is about actions—sleeping enough, eating well, laughing with friends, and exercising. Self-care is not going shopping or eating a tub of ice cream just because you had a bad day and “deserve it.” And while real self-care will support you physically, it may not help you overcome the guilt and the voices in your head.
Self-compassion is hard because we are often our own harshest critics. When I focus on self-compassion, I imagine that I am one of my sons, my husband, or a close friend. I think about how I would want them to be treated, how I would love for them to see themselves as I see them, and how I would speak to them—with love, kindness, acceptance, and non-judgment. It takes practice, and it feels a bit odd in the beginning, but it does work overtime.
When going through change—or managing change for others—you will get things wrong, and emotions will be high. Accept this, learn from it, and move on!
7. This Too Shall Pass
I hate this phrase, but it’s true. Change, no matter how difficult, is temporary. You will move through it. Your team and organisation will adapt—just as you will.
8. Find the Opportunity in Change
If you’re a natural pessimist, this one might be annoying. But curiosity—one of Peeplcoach’s core values—can shift your perspective. Instead of resisting change, ask yourself:
- What can I learn from this?
- What can I do differently?
- What’s the upside?
- What new opportunities might arise?
- What have I been meaning to change anyway?
Final Thoughts
These are the principles that have helped me navigate change—both personally and as a leader at Peeplcoach. If you have your own strategies, I’d love to hear them. And if you’d like to learn more about how Peeplcoach supports leaders through transformation, let’s chat.
Change is constant. Chaos is inevitable. But with the right mindset, from chaos comes clarity.
