Three Transformations at Once—How to Build Momentum When Everyone Is Exhausted | Gunnar Fischer

Gunnar Fischer: Three Transformations at Once—How to Build Momentum When Everyone Is Exhausted Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes.   "You're not only writing for the leadership—you're always writing for the gallery." - Gunnar Fischer   Gunnar brought a juicy challenge to Wednesday: his company is running three transformations in parallel, at three different levels, all at different stages and degrees of success. People are exhausted. The word "change" triggers an allergic reaction. And yet, in the same breath, those same people will tell you the organization needs to change. So how do you create momentum in a climate worn down by theater and abandoned initiatives, when the managers who launched them have moved on? Gunnar's first insight is that the human species is built for change—the problem isn't appetite, it's the feeling of not being heard. Even hinting "I think I know your situation, and I took a note from our last conversation" opens people up. Vasco pushes the analysis further: when three transformation teams each visit the same Scrum team with different topics, the team ends up spending all its time discussing transformation instead of doing the work. Gunnar's counter is simple math—be realistic that 90% of capacity is work and 10% is learning, plan accordingly, and start small with a single pilot team. He recalls one successful turnaround driven by a "wall of concerns" where leaders read out anonymous worries and answered them publicly. The response didn't need to be perfect; it just needed to exist. And the hidden lever, he says, is what Vasco calls "writing for the gallery"—when you ask a good question in a town hall, you're not really aiming at leadership; you're showing hundreds of colleagues "you're not the only one." That's where systemic change actually starts.   In this episode, we refer to Liberating Structures, which Gunnar uses heavily in his change work, and the importance of linking transformation work to bottom-line financials or capability metrics so it survives the next urgent customer request.   Self-reflection Question: In your current change initiative, what visible evidence do people have that leadership is actually listening—not just communicating?   [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn't just about innovation—it's about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she's caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn't just about the product—it's about the people.   🚨 Will Angela's coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue.   Buy Now on Amazon   [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]   About Gunnar Fischer   Gunnar is the leader of the Chocolate Guild. Agile practitioner with a software developer background and a strong interest in people, intercultural contacts and the bigger picture. Gunnar's purpose is to teach and to learn, to grow as a person and to support others who want the same.   You can link with Gunnar Fischer on LinkedIn.   You can also read Gunnar's writing on his blog, Leader of the Chocolate Guild.