Why Most Change Fails and How to Make Yours Stick episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 25, 2025 · 50 MIN

Why Most Change Fails and How to Make Yours Stick

from Tough Day

We’ve all heard the stat, “70% of change initiatives fail.” But why? In this episode of Tough Day, KVJ sits down with Phil Kirschner, founder of PK Consulting, LinkedIn Top Voice, and author of The Workline, to unpack what really makes change so hard for teams and leaders alike. Together, they explore why most “change management” efforts miss the mark, the hidden role of trust and vulnerability in successful transformations, and how to build a culture where experimentation (and even failure) is celebrated, not punished. Phil also shares why leaders need to stop “selling” change and start co-designing it, how to avoid the chaos of “move fast” cultures, and why the future of work demands curiosity, transparency, and a little more grace for ourselves along the way. What we cover:Why 70% of organizational change efforts fail — and what that stat really meansThe simple mindset shift that turns resistance into engagementHow the best leaders admit they don’t have all the answers — and invite others to help figure it outThe link between trust, vulnerability, and real transformation (spoiler: you can’t fake it) How to build a culture where failure isn’t fatal — it’s dataWhy “move fast” doesn’t always mean progress — and how to slow down without stallingLearn more about Phil Kirschner:Website: https://www.philkirschner.com/ Newsletter: https://www.flexos.work/the-workline LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philkirschner/ Learn more about KVJ | Tough DayWebsite: https://tough.day/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kvonjan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve all heard the stat, “70% of change initiatives fail.” But why? In this episode of Tough Day, KVJ sits down with Phil Kirschner, founder of PK Consulting, LinkedIn Top Voice, and author of The Workline, to unpack what really makes change so hard for teams and leaders alike. Together, they explore why most “change management” efforts miss the mark, the hidden role of trust and vulnerability in successful transformations, and how to build a culture where experimentation (and even failure) is celebrated, not punished. Phil also shares why leaders need to stop “selling” change and start co-designing it, how to avoid the chaos of “move fast” cultures, and why the future of work demands curiosity, transparency, and a little more grace for ourselves along the way. What we cover:Why 70% of organizational change efforts fail — and what that stat really meansThe simple mindset shift that turns resistance into engagementHow the best leaders admit they don’t have all the answers — and invite others to help figure it outThe link between trust, vulnerability, and real transformation (spoiler: you can’t fake it) How to build a culture where failure isn’t fatal — it’s dataWhy “move fast” doesn’t always mean progress — and how to slow down without stallingLearn more about Phil Kirschner:Website: https://www.philkirschner.com/ Newsletter: https://www.flexos.work/the-workline LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philkirschner/ Learn more about KVJ | Tough DayWebsite: https://tough.day/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kvonjan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Why Most Change Fails and How to Make Yours Stick

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This episode is 50 minutes long.

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This episode was published on November 25, 2025.

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We’ve all heard the stat, “70% of change initiatives fail.” But why? In this episode of Tough Day, KVJ sits down with Phil Kirschner, founder of PK Consulting, LinkedIn Top Voice, and author of The Workline, to unpack what really makes change so...

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