EP 180 | Evolvability: Growing Forward When Plans Fail | Anne Grady

How's that strategic plan working out for you? Are things going according to plan? What if you could grow forward when things don't go according to plan instead of losing it when things go off the rails? How do you build resilient teams when 70% of change initiatives fail not because of logistical issues but because we're not preparing the people? Transform your approach to resilience and adaptability on this episode of the Work Positive Podcast with Dr. Joey Faucette and Anne Grady. 

Anne is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and expert in building resilient teams, leaders, and organizations. She's spent the last 20 years working with some of the largest organizations around the globe including Google, Lockheed, Johnson and Johnson, and Microsoft. Her new book is "Evolvability: Growing Forward When Things Don't Go According to Plan." She lives on a ranch outside Austin, Texas with her husband (VP of Everything), two donkeys, and four cows. 

Listen as Anne explores:

☀️ Why the average adult spends two and a half months every year on their phone (11-14 year olds spend nine hours a day) ☀️ How going 30 minutes in the morning without your phone changes cognitive bandwidth, emotional reactivity, and stress levels ☀️ The power of using "because" in appreciation statements to transform teams at no cost ☀️ Why 70% of change initiatives fail because we're not preparing the people for what's coming ☀️ How today's leaders are supposed to inspire like Oprah, execute like Elon, and coach like Ted Lasso all in 8 hours a day

Anne transforms how leaders think about change by proving that evolvability is a learnable skill, and when you focus on what you can control and meet people where they are, you create cultures that navigate uncertainty together.

🔑 Key Insight: "The best cultures come from curiosity instead of judgment. Pay attention to what people are paying attention to and where they are right now, and meet them where they are. Validate those difficult experiences because when you don't acknowledge the difficult emotions they don't go away, they leak out everywhere. About 80% of employees who leave cite lack of appreciation as the number one reason. Use the word 'because.' You did a great job on that report because it synthesized really complex information and made it simple."

💡 Your DOT (Do One Thing): Listen. Ask good questions. Be curious instead of judgmental. Meet people where they are and validate those difficult experiences. Be incredibly appreciative and grateful with your employees, and use the word "because" to make appreciation specific. "You did a great job because..." or "I really appreciate the way you spoke in that meeting because you allowed everyone's voice to be heard." Start every meeting with a quick round of gratitude. Bonus tip: Go 30 minutes in the morning without your phone. Charge it in a different room. They make alarm clocks, and this one change will reduce stress and increase focus.

Connect with Anne Grady:

• Get "Evolvability: Growing Forward When Things Don't Go According to Plan" on Amazon (Kindle, audiobook coming soon) 
• Visit myevolvability.com and take the FREE Evolvability Index assessment
• Discover which of the 6 skills can help you navigate change and uncertainty
• Learn how to protect your time, energy, and attention like you protect your money and data
• Connect with Anne on LinkedIn 

#Evolvability #Resilience #AdaptableLeaders #AppreciationMatters #PhoneFreeTime #CuriosityNotJudgment #CultureEatsStrategyForBreakfast #WorkPositive

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🔗 Stay connected with Dr. Joey Faucette:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkPositiveToday/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/

📧 Know someone who'd make a great guest on the show? Email [e-mail] with your recommendation!