Ep 01 | Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Embrace Change?

Season 2, Episode 1: Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Embrace Change at Work? Episode Description:We’re back! After a much-anticipated break, hosts Pinaki Kathiari (CEO of Local Wisdom, co-founder of Resource Hero) and Chris Lee (VP at Gallagher Communications, President of IABC Toronto) kick off Season 2 of Why Does it Feel So Wrong to Be Human at Work? by tackling one of the most universal and misunderstood workplace experiences: change.In this deeply personal and practical conversation, Pinaki and Chris explore:Why change is so uncomfortable—and sometimes even painfulHow workplace culture impacts our ability to embrace changeThe psychology and physiology behind how humans process transitionsThe double-edged sword of being either too eager or too resistant to changeWhat internal communications and people leaders can do to humanize changeTips for helping teams reframe change as a growth opportunityPersonal stories, like riding a Waymo self-driving car, to illustrate the emotional complexity of navigating the unknownPlus, they debut a new segment: “Wisdom That Feels So Right”, where they recommend books that help make sense of change and guide listeners through it.Timestamps00:00 – Welcome back: The evolution of the podcast and workplace conversations03:00 – How the idea of humanizing the workplace gained traction05:45 – What makes change feel so wrong at work09:00 – Control, identity, and the emotional impact of organizational shifts14:30 – Change as pain: The rollercoaster of excitement and fear18:00 – Riding Waymo: An experiential metaphor for personal change21:00 – Risk tolerance and managing emotional responses to uncertainty27:00 – Suffering vs. reality: A mindset shift in navigating change30:00 – Lessons from Who Moved My Cheese?34:00 – Wisdom That Feels So Right: Books and frameworks on change37:30 – Final thoughts: Making change a positive habit Wisdom that Feels So RightWho Moved My Cheese? by Spencer JohnsonThe Dip by Seth GodinQuit by Annie DukeIlluminate by Nancy DuarteThe Fearless Organization by Amy EdmondsonLeading Change by John KotterRange by David EpsteinSoundtracks by Jon AcuffAyurvedic Wellness by Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar Connect with UsPinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn | Local WisdomChris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:Did something we said spark a new thought? Did you feel seen, challenged, or even frustrated by our take? We want to hear from you. Drop us a comment on LinkedIn or tag us in your reflections. And if you found this valuable, please rate, review, and share the episode to help others bring more humanness into the workplace. Connect with UsPinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local WisdomChris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher CommunicationBree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local WisdomSpecial thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible. If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold. We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.