Conversations On Change

What really determines whether a strategy succeeds or stalls? More often than not, it isn't the plan, it's the culture and the leadership choices behind it.In this episode of Conversations on Change, we explore how culture becomes a true competitive edge when it is intentionally designed, aligned to strategy, and supported by the right structures, decision-making frameworks, and leadership capability.Key takeaways1. Culture is the operating system. Strategy runs on top of it. When culture is right, accountability spreads organically, and decisions stay high-quality — even when the plan isn't perfect.2. Culture is always a business risk. The question isn't whether culture matters; it's whether you are intentionally cultivating it or letting it drift. Cases like Wells Fargo show what happens when culture is left unmanaged.3. If decisions stall, escalate to a handful of senior people, or top performers quietly leave with vague reasons, culture and strategy are no longer in sync.4. Operationalise, don't just communicate. Posters and value statements don't change behaviour. Structures, incentives, and decision rights do. Culture changes when what gets rewarded changes.5. Leaders are culture carriers. 6. Be tight on the “what,” loose on the “how.” Values, ethics, safety, and decision authority are non-negotiable globally. How they are practised should flex to the local context.7. Stop treating culture as a communications exercise. Start treating it as a design choice embedded in how decisions are made, how performance is rewarded, and how risk is managed.

We are in an era of constant disruption, where leaders are being challenged to create workplaces that are not only high-performing but also resilient and psychologically safe. How do we lead with empathy? What are actionable takeaways on sustaining engagement while embedding a culture of trust? Join us as we candidly explore these themes with senior HR, transformation and strategy leaders, Avik and Elena, and discuss how organisations can foster wellbeing and adaptability amid rapid or ongoing change.From navigating hybrid work to strengthening leadership capability and managing workforce anxiety, we'll look at how real-world strategies can drive both human and business outcomes. Become better equipped through this engaging exchange of perspectives and best practices to cultivate a culture where people and organisations can thrive even when the future feels uncertain

The future of work is no longer a distant concept; it is already reshaping our organisations, our people and the way we lead. From AI-driven decision-making to purpose-driven culture, to the reinvention of employee experience, the need for adaptation and evolution has never been more urgent.This session of Conversations on Change delves deeper into Envisioning Our Work Future Now. Together with our expert speakers, Priya and Alan, we’ll forecast key HR trends shaping the next three to five years, unpack the signals of change already surfacing today and discuss how leaders can take proactive steps as the architects of our Work Future.

We live in a hyper-connected age, where experience is the new currency. Along with evolving customer and stakeholder expectations, we are also changing how we engage with and interact with each other. The organisations that prioritise human-centred design will thrive with longevity.Together with stakeholder engagement experts Mohit Kumar and Poornima Parameswaran Batish, we will explore the tricky but exciting landscape of building brand legacy and organisational longevity with stakeholder trust and immersive customer experience journeys. Let's find out how we can compete and thrive in the experience economy.

Today's corporate landscape demands agility and adaptability to stay ahead of the curve. As traditional notions of boardroom dynamics and leadership practices give way to inclusivity and collaboration, how do organisations and C-suite leaders evolve? A revolutionary approach, the Flex Executive Economy, might be the answer to achieving FIRE (Financial Independence/ Retire Early).Join our experienced CEOs and executive mentors, Karunesh Prasad (CEO, Change Et Al) and David Mair (CEO, Republic Consulting), as they chat with host Adeline L Pang on the launch of a game-changing platform and explore what the Flex Executive Economy is all about.

As modern businesses increasingly adopt information technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, understanding the implications that these transformative applications have on organisational structure, culture and processes is crucial for future success.Join us as we delve into an invigorating conversation about the role of AI in enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency.Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with Tech and organisational transformation experts, Darren Thayre (Director of Innovation, Google) and Theresa Tan (CEO, YBR Consulting), in a panel discussion exploring the exciting intersection of technology and organisational change!Read more about our guest experts:- Theresa Tan (Founder and CEO, YBR Consulting)Theresa is the founder and CEO of YBR Consulting, a firm specialising in managing change driven by technological disruptions, including artificial intelligence, sustainability and digital transformation. With over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, Theresa has played a key role in go-to-market strategies and managing change for new technologies in NTT/Dimension Data/Datacraft, Dell Computers and Cap Gemini. Her expertise in Change Management has extended to engagements with prominent clients, including Singapore Airlines, Singtel, Standard Chartered Bank, UBS AG, HSBC, Royal Philips Electronics, and Roche Diagnostics, among others.One of the first professionals in Asia to obtain PROSCI Change Management certification, Theresa holds the PROSCI-Colorado State University Change Management Professional Certification (2013) and a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Computer Science from the National University of Singapore (1995).- Darren Thayre (Director of Innovation, Global Strategic Initiatives, Google)Originally from the UK, Darren has now worked overseas for 20 years, with the last 12 years spent in Asia. A Board Advisor and Executive Leadership Coach, he is also a Professor of Digital Innovation at one of Asia’s top business schools, Chairman of the ISCA AI committee and an advisor to the G20.His focus is digital transformation and digital growth, with a particular specialisation on new business model innovation.Prior to his role at GSI, Google, he was a Partner at Oliver Wyman, and before that, he ran an innovation business at Amazon Web Services.

When we embrace Change, we encourage a culture of adaptability and innovation. Visionary leadership is essential in driving change. Join us as Adeline chats with Dragana Beara (APAC Head, Google Workspace, Customer and Ecosystem Engineering) and Vivek Iyyani (Managing Director, Millennial Minds; Author, Penguin House SEA) about how effective leadership can catalyse meaningful organisational transformation.Don't miss the opportunity to connect with our guest expert speakers - whether you're an accomplished leader or an emerging manager, our panel discussion will inspire you with actionable insights on leading your organisation through the continuously changing landscape of our Future of Work.

Join our guests, Dr. CJ Meadows (Top 10 women in IT-Asia; featured speaker for TEDx, CNBC and Bloomberg) and Supria Dutta (Head of Talent APAC, Wunderman Thompson), as they chat with Adeline L Pang about Design Thinking and the role it plays in Future of Work.

Join us as Adeline L. Pang explores the exciting and rapidly evolving Gig Economy from both sides- supply and demand, together with our expert guest speakers, Emily Draycott-Jones (Fractional HR Leader) and Sanjeev S. (Senior Vice President, People Experience & Global Capability Centers, Assurant)

As CEOs climb the next corporate summit, how do HR leaders find and nurture the right people to execute their collective vision?Next in our series on Conversations on Change, host Adeline Pang chats with Astro Radio CEO, Kenny Ong, and Standard Chartered Bank Group HRBP, Robert Menezes on the power partnership of CEOs and CHROs. Together, they will explore how important it is for organisation leaders to develop a partnership that allows the successful translation and execution of mandates and visions.

How do organisations and C-suite leaders evolve as traditional notions of boardroom dynamics and leadership practices give way to inclusivity and collaboration? In this conversation on Flex Executive Economy, join our business and HR Tech/ Future of Work experts, Christoph Moellers and Pallavi Srivastava, as they chat with host Adeline L Pang about what FEE means for our future corporate landscape and as they toast the exciting launch of a new platform.

As DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity) initiatives gain popularity in the workplace, are these qualities sustainable and transferable to the boardroom? Where are the intersections of inclusion, diversity and gender balance in boards of the future, and why is it crucial for us to find them?Delve into a thought-provoking discussion with our expert speakers, inspiring and forward-thinking board members, Dr Vinika Rao (Executive Director, INSEAD/ Founding Executive Director, Emerging Markets Institute) and Rachel Ooi (Founder, Strategic Advisor & Systemic Change Coach, Antioch Streams). Discover actionable insights and explore innovative strategies for fostering diverse perspectives as we uncover the pivotal role sustainable practices play in driving business success.Don't miss this opportunity to engage and learn.