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Ep 16. Ann Stow - You'll do it this way. Or you can leave.
When a big organisation acquires a small, thriving SME, it should be a perfect match—right? Not always.
In this week's episode of How Did it Make Sense, I sit down with Ann Stow, Chartered Psychologist and founder of Humanise Work, to unpack the real story behind a merger that went wrong. Within months, key leaders had resigned, culture had collapsed, and trust was shattered. But what really drove those decisions? Ann breaks down the hidden pressures, communication failures, and cultural clashes that often go unnoticed but make or break business transformations.
We explore why two-thirds of mergers fail, the cost of rushed decisions, and the lessons leaders need to learn before it’s too late. From understanding local rationality to the power of clear communication, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone navigating organisational change. If you want to keep good people, build trust, and avoid repeating the same mistakes, this one’s for you. Tune in and let’s get into the second story.
Resources and books recommended:
Psychology: The Science of Mental Life by Georgie A Miller
Freedom To Be Happy: The Business Case for Happiness
https://annstow.medium.com/how-planting-an-artichoke-in-a-mixed-border-made-me-reflect-on-equity-2633120bfae8
https://annstow.medium.com/get-the-roots-of-your-business-right-200b581ffe6f
https://annstow.medium.com/
Connect with Ann here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annstow/
Website: https://www.humanisework.com/
Email: [email protected]
Human in the System
Transforming teams. Unlocking human potential.
Using principles from Human Factors (HF), High-Reliability Organisations (HRO), and Human and Organisational Performance (HOP), we develop and deliver highly immersive and impactful programmes using the High-Velocity Learning LAB (HVLL) concept. We give you the know-how, the tools and the support to make results stick and empower your people to achieve the extraordinary. We help you answer the question "How do we uncover those hidden stories in our organisation?"
Contact us here
View all episodes
By Gareth LockWhen a big organisation acquires a small, thriving SME, it should be a perfect match—right? Not always.
In this week's episode of How Did it Make Sense, I sit down with Ann Stow, Chartered Psychologist and founder of Humanise Work, to unpack the real story behind a merger that went wrong. Within months, key leaders had resigned, culture had collapsed, and trust was shattered. But what really drove those decisions? Ann breaks down the hidden pressures, communication failures, and cultural clashes that often go unnoticed but make or break business transformations.
We explore why two-thirds of mergers fail, the cost of rushed decisions, and the lessons leaders need to learn before it’s too late. From understanding local rationality to the power of clear communication, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone navigating organisational change. If you want to keep good people, build trust, and avoid repeating the same mistakes, this one’s for you. Tune in and let’s get into the second story.
Resources and books recommended:
Psychology: The Science of Mental Life by Georgie A Miller
Freedom To Be Happy: The Business Case for Happiness
https://annstow.medium.com/how-planting-an-artichoke-in-a-mixed-border-made-me-reflect-on-equity-2633120bfae8
https://annstow.medium.com/get-the-roots-of-your-business-right-200b581ffe6f
https://annstow.medium.com/
Connect with Ann here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annstow/
Website: https://www.humanisework.com/
Email: [email protected]
Human in the System
Transforming teams. Unlocking human potential.
Using principles from Human Factors (HF), High-Reliability Organisations (HRO), and Human and Organisational Performance (HOP), we develop and deliver highly immersive and impactful programmes using the High-Velocity Learning LAB (HVLL) concept. We give you the know-how, the tools and the support to make results stick and empower your people to achieve the extraordinary. We help you answer the question "How do we uncover those hidden stories in our organisation?"
Contact us here