Welcome to Definitely Maybe Agile! In this episode, Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock sit down with Barbara Whittmann, founder of the Digital Wisdom Collective, to explore how real organizational change happens from the middle out.

Barbara shares her 25 years of experience fixing broken digital transformation projects and reveals why the "juicy middle" of organizations holds the key to sustainable change. We dive deep into mindset training, building internal ecosystems, and why most organizations have forgotten the purpose of half their tools and processes.

From navigating the "permafrost layer" of middle management to understanding why AI initiatives often miss the mark, this conversation offers practical insights for anyone working to transform how organizations operate.

Three Key Takeaways:

1. Meet Organizations Where They Are - Don't force rigid methodologies or terminology. Use the organization's own language and focus on solving their actual problems rather than trying to "fix" them with prescribed frameworks.
2. The Power of Cohorts - Change isn't an individual effort. Building a cohort of four people creates redundancy, moral support, and a self-reinforcing dynamic that can create ripples throughout the organization.
3. Communication is Critical - We don't invest enough in helping leaders develop communication skills. Leaders need ongoing support, coaching, and safe spaces to develop their ability to listen, speak up, and collaborate effectively.

Featured Guest: Barbara Whittmann - Founder, Digital Wisdom Collective

Contact: [email protected]