Thriving Through Change: Real- World Tech Transformations (with Sarah Duffy)

Org restructures. New tools. Platform migrations. That “we’re changing how everything works” email. If you work in IT, change is your default setting – but it doesn’t always feel that way. In this episode of SEEK Bytes, Elliott Millar, Will and special guest Sarah Duffy (Enterprise Change Lead at SEEK) unpack how to thrive in continuous change, not just survive it. This episode's special guest: Sarah Duffy (SEEK Enterprise Change Lead) In this episode, we explore: • What your brain is doing during change (and how to make it “brain-friendly”) – including the SCARF model (status, certainty, autonomy, relatedness, fairness), why change can trigger fight-or-flight, and how clear comms, certainty about the plan and fair processes dramatically reduce stress. • How SEEK runs large-scale change without “doing it by email” – from the Unification rollout across six countries to leader shark-tank sessions, change-champion networks and co-creation via focus groups, end-user testing and continuous listening to resistance as a source of insight. • Practical tools to personally thrive in change – including the IKEA effect and co-creation, the ACCESS framework (acknowledge, calm, challenge, exercise, social, sleep), sleep-hygiene tips, and simple techniques like box breathing and SCARF self-assessments you can use at your desk during stressful transitions. If you’re in software engineering, data, product, support, people leadership or any IT role facing restructures, tool changes or big programs, this episode gives you science-backed frameworks and everyday habits to handle change with more confidence – and help your teams do the same. If you’re in software engineering, data, product, support, people leadership or any IT role facing restructures, tool changes or big programs, this episode gives you science-backed frameworks and everyday habits to handle change with more confidence – and help your teams do the same. 🔔 Follow the SEEK Bytes podcast so you never miss a new episode