You've Got to Get on Board: Managing in a Merger

In this Sparks episode, Milly Gladstone speaks with Jonna Sercombe and Louise Connors about what it’s really like to lead big, complex change—like a major acquisition and rebrand. Drawing on their recent experience leading our own merger, they delve into how these shifts are often planned quietly in the background, why timing your message matters, and how being real and grounded can make all the difference. In this episode, you’ll hear why small wins keep people motivated, how emotions can actually be strengths in leadership, and why ongoing support is key. Their big message? Change isn’t a one-off—it’s something we learn to live and lead through.Watch now to hear the valuable insights and strategies drawn from recent firsthand experience of our own leaders.--See what we do best:https://www.cegos.uk/Want to spark something with [email protected] with us on LinkedIn:Milly Gladstone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-gladstone/Jonna Sercombe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnasercombe/Louise Connors: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-connors-89302111a/0:00 Welcome to Sparks1:19 We’ve been through some big changes8:18 Should you process change before you lead it?13:54 Which models of change do we use?21:49 Why patience is so important22:52 Are people really resistant to change?29:03 What can we learn from horses?!32:25 Change for changes sake?36:00 Should we praise early adopters of change?40:00 How do we handle emotions during change?47:50 The end