E87 - Phase Zero: The Hidden Advantage In Change - Podcast With Amy Yackowski

Welcome to The Inner Game of Change, the podcast where we explore the unseen forces that shape how we lead, adapt, and thrive in the face of change and transformation.  In this episode, I am joined by the insightful and bold Amy Yackowski—founder of Painted Porch Strategies and a passionate advocate for building shift-ready teams and leaders. Together, we dive into the critical, often overlooked period before change officially begins—a space Amy calls Phase Zero. Long before the project plan kicks in, before kickoff meetings and comms plans, Phase Zero is where emotional readiness, mindset, and organisational truth-telling take shape. It is the terrain where insight is gathered, assumptions are surfaced, and success—or struggle—starts to take root.  We explore why skipping Phase Zero can derail even well-planned change, how to navigate time constraints, and how AI tools like Copilot can surface early insights. Amy also shares how Stoic thinking shapes her work and why change must be personalised—not one-size-fits-all.   Whether you are a project lead, a change advisor, or just navigating another wave of workplace evolution, this episode offers a fresh lens and some very practical tools to help you start smart—right from Phase Zero.  I am grateful to have Amy chatting with me today.  About Amy "Oh, Shift". It lands on the steps of your business and with your teams every day, challenging you to adapt. - Market Shifts - Economic Shifts - Technology Shifts - Strategic/Operational Shifts - Culture Shifts  - Priority Shifts  - People Shifts  - Leadership Shifts  😧 Are you taken by surprise, stepping in it, and making a mess? 😎 Or are you able to spot, solve, and pivot with confidence? When these shifts hit your plan - and change is not just desired, but demanded - how ready is your team to navigate with clarity and purpose to make it happen? ⛔ Part of the 70%+ of organizations struggling with transformation realization and adoption? 🔮 Struggle with designing future-focused solutions before the next shift happens (vs. recreating what you already do or have)? 🔥 Battling team burnout, misalignment, low ownership, and miscommunication? Then partner with "the Porch". Growth-minded businesses work with us to create a P.A.T.H. for success that reduces risk, increases engagement, and achieves innovative transformation. With 20 years of expertise in operational optimization and team dynamics, backed by certifications in Emotional Intelligence and Change Management, the Painted Porch team uses Stoic principles and operational best practices to: - Analyze your processes, culture, and communication 🚥 - Map out your change journey 🗺️ - Build resilient, shift-ready teams that make your growth strategies stick Contacts linkedin.com/in/ayackowski paintedporchstrategies.com (Company) Send us a textReal Talk About Marketing An Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Ali Juma @The Inner Game of Change podcast Follow me on LinkedIn