#164 | Navigating Strategic Transformation with Human Centred Change with Renee Giacalone

From Strategy to Execution: Making Change Stick – with Renee Giacalone Why do some organizations thrive through change while others get stuck in the gap between strategy and execution? In this practical and inspiring episode, I’m joined by Renee Giacalone—seasoned transformation leader turned entrepreneur—who shares what it really takes to make change stick. With three decades of experience leading strategic change at companies like Bank of America, Kellogg, and McDonald"s, Renee has seen firsthand that successful transformation isn’t about perfect plans—it’s about what happens after go-live. She challenges the overemphasis on pre-launch training and advocates instead for ongoing, people-focused support once the change becomes real. We explore how to shift from resistance to engagement by tapping into human motivators like peer influence, FOMO, and friendly competition. Renee also makes a compelling case for democratizing project management across the business—so every team member, not just specialists, can confidently contribute to big-picture goals. Whether you"re navigating a complex transformation or simply trying to get your team unstuck, Renee’s insights offer a grounded, human-centric approach to change. It’s time to stop managing from the sidelines and start enabling people to succeed.   To learn more about Renee’s work, visit: rsgconsultinggroup.com Renee"s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneegiacalone/ In this episode, I cover: 02:50 From Corporate America to Entrepreneurship  05:42 Career Defining Moments in Leadership 09:26 Effective Change Management Approaches 14:58 Navigating Remote Work During COVID 19:15 Why Project Management is for Everyone 24:30 Execution Gaps in Organisations 29:05 Strategic Planning Challenges 39:00 Rescuing Challenged Programs 45:31 Leading Stuck Teams and Final Thoughts And more… Have you built a PMO from the ground up—or thinking about it? Tune in to learn how to create a solid foundation that supports growth, governance, and agility. Then, share your PMO wins or challenges—I’d love to hear your Agile Support the show Thank you for listening to Agile Ideas! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit from our discussions. Remember to rate us on your preferred podcast platform and follow us on social media for updates and more insightful content. Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, I"d really appreciate it if you could share it with your friends and rate us. Let"s spread the #AgileIdeas together! We"d like to hear any feedback. www.agilemanagementoffice.com/contact Don"t miss out on exclusive access to special events, checklists, and blogs that are not available everywhere. Subscribe to our newsletter now at www.agilemanagementoffice.com/subscribe. You can also find us on most social media channels by searching "Agile Ideas". Follow me, your host, on LinkedIn - go to Fatimah Abbouchi - www.linkedin.com/in/fatimahabbouchi/ For all things Agile Ideas and to stay connected, visit our website below. It"s your one-stop destination for all our episodes, blogs, and more. We hope you found today"s episode enlightening. Until next time, keep innovating and exploring new Agile Ideas! Learn more about podcast host Fatimah Abbouchi ...