Change Cultivators

AI is changing the way we work. But are we changing the way we lead?

In the latest episode of the Change Cultivators Podcast, Patrick sits down with Guy Yeh iav, global business leader and CEO of SmartSense by Digi, to explore what it really takes to turn AI disruption into business value.From rethinking workflows and keeping humans accountable to building cultures of curiosity, resilience, and growth, Guy shares practical insights on leading through change.One key takeaway? AI should enable better thinking, not replace it.

#ChangeCultivators #Leadership #ArtificialIntelligence #ChangeManagement #Innovation #BusinessTransformation

For entrepreneur Kelly Hoffman, change isn’t about having every answer before you start. It’s about staying curious, challenging the status quo and having the confidence to keep moving.

In the latest episode of the Change Cultivators podcast, Patrick Fitzmaurice sits down with Kelly to explore the entrepreneurial side of change leadership — from building ideas into something tangible, to knowing when to step back, bring others in and keep moving toward the bigger vision.

They also unpack curiosity as a leadership skill, the danger of becoming comfortable with “the way things are,” and why momentum doesn’t mean being reckless.

What happens when you leave the security of established global brands to build something driven by purpose?

In this episode of the Change Cultivators Podcast, Patrick is joined by Naomi Fielding, Commercial Director of CPRWrap Europe, to explore her journey into entrepreneurship and the mission to improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by giving everyday people the confidence and skills to act.

Naomi shares how CPRWrap Europe is navigating the realities of building a purpose-driven business — from testing assumptions and changing direction to finding new ways to reach communities, businesses and individuals.

The conversation explores vision-centric leadership, becoming a “passionate pathfinder,” the power of authentic storytelling, and why being willing to pivot is essential when creating meaningful change.

At the heart of it all is a simple mission: get more people trained, build their confidence and empower bystanders to act when every second counts.

What if the person who challenges you the most is actually your team's greatest asset? Patrick sits down with innovation expert Stephen Shapiro to explore why the strongest teams aren't built on similarity—they're built on complementary thinking. Discover how different perspectives drive better collaboration, stronger leadership and lasting innovation.

Patrick sits down with Glenn Caruso, an expert in applied AI training, to explore what every leader needs to know about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in business.

This conversation is more than a trend watch, it’s a practical, forward-looking guide for change leaders who want to stay relevant, strategic, and human in an AI-powered world. Glenn shares how to master advanced prompting, build contextual understanding, and rethink AI as a collaborator rather than a threat.

Takeaways include:

• Why AI is now a core survival skill for leaders

• How advanced prompting unlocks better outcomes

• Practical ways AI can enhance your daily workflow

• The emotional intelligence needed to lead with tech

• Why continuous learning is the only sustainable strategy

SUMMARY

In this energizing conversation, Tomissa Smittendorf, a transformative Sr. Director of Commercial Capability from Kellanova, talks with Patrick Fitzmaurice about how a modern L&D strategy can power culture change, employee engagement, and long-term business growth.

With a focus on building knowledge capital, nurturing a growth mindset, and developing strategic industry partnerships, Tomissa lays out how learning becomes a competitive advantage in times of transformation.

TAKEAWAYS INCLUDE:

• Why investing in people fuels successful change
• How L&D drives both retention and innovation
• Building a culture of safe spaces and continuous growth
• The role of sales training in culture evolution
• Why relationship-building is essential in change leadership

SUMMARY

In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, Patrick dives into the shifting world of marketing and agency life with Rob Sellers, a bold voice in creative strategy and transformation.

They explore how technology, AI, and evolving client demands are rewriting the rules for agencies. From the urgent need for agility to the enduring value of talent and authenticity, this episode is a wake-up call for anyone working in or with creative organizations.

TAKEAWAYS INCLUDE:

• Why the traditional agency model is under pressure
• How AI is revolutionizing production—and what that means for creatives
• The importance of investing in talent as your only true IP
• Why agility and speed must be matched by human connection
• How authenticity is becoming the most powerful brand strategy

In this engaging conversation, Patrick Fitzmaurice chats with Stephen Shapiro - a Hall of Fame speaker, author of 7 books, with over 20 years in leadership and innovation. They explore what it really takes to drive meaningful change in today’s fast-moving world. 

From building a stable foundation to unleashing innovation through tools like Personality Poker, Stephen challenges conventional thinking and shares powerful insights from his latest book, Pivotal. Whether you're leading a team, a transformation, or an entire organization, this discussion will give you fresh perspective on how stability fuels innovation - and how leaders can harness both to stay ahead.

Takeaways include:

• How to identify your organization’s true differentiators

• Why agility fails without a stable base

• The surprising role of AI in innovation strategy

• How creative hobbies can fuel better leadership

• Why emotional connection beats efficiency every time

#ChangeLeadership #Innovation #StephenShapiro #PivotalThinking #OrganizationalGrowth #ChangeCultivators #LeadershipStrategy #AIinBusiness

Overcoming Story Poverty in Organizations

Discover how unlocking hidden stories can spark connection, culture, and lasting change in your organization.

Summary

In this conversation, Patrick and Todd explore the significance of storytelling in leadership and organizational change. Todd, an advocate for story stewardship, discusses the concept of 'story poverty'—the lack of personal narratives within organizations, particularly in churches. They delve into the emotional and vulnerable aspects of storytelling, emphasizing how sharing personal stories can foster connection and drive change. The discussion also highlights the barriers individuals face in sharing their stories and the role of technology in facilitating this process. Ultimately, they provide insights on how to cultivate a culture of storytelling to enhance communication and engagement within organizations. In this conversation, Todd Miechiels and Patrick discuss the importance of storytelling in leadership and organizational change. They explore how to create safe environments for introverts to share their stories, the challenges of distributing these stories effectively, and the concept of 'story poverty'—the lack of shared narratives that can hinder leadership development. Todd shares his journey from business to church storytelling and emphasizes the need for organizations to invest in sharing their stories of impact. The discussion highlights the interconnectedness of storytelling, vulnerability, and authenticity in fostering change within communities.

Takeaways

• Storytelling is crucial for effective communication in leadership.

• Many organizations suffer from 'story poverty'—a lack of personal narratives.

• Vulnerability is key to authentic storytelling.

• Emotional connections through stories can drive change.

• Barriers to sharing stories include fear and lack of time.

• Creating a culture of storytelling requires intentionality and support.

• Technology can help capture and share stories effectively.

• Introverts often have the most transformational stories to share.

• Addressing story poverty can lead to greater organizational engagement.

• Personal stories can unlock awareness and desire for change. Creating environments for stories to be revealed is crucial.

• Story poverty can significantly impact leadership development.

• Investing in storytelling is as important as acquiring customers.

• Introverts need safe spaces to share their stories.

• The church often struggles with effective storytelling.

• Vulnerability and authenticity resonate deeply with audiences.

• Organizations should prioritize sharing stories of life change.

• Storytelling can bridge the gap between sacred and secular.

• Effective communication involves understanding nonverbal cues.

• Building a community around storytelling fosters connection and change.

Master the art of communication centric and trust centric change leadership behaviors. This episode focuses on strategic communication and trust-building to lead your team through change with confidence.