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Leading Change That Builds Momentum with Kathleen Margolis
When it comes to leading transformation, Kathleen Margolis, Client Account Manager at Black & Veatch, shows that real change doesn’t require a top-down mandate; it requires clarity, influence, and a relentless focus on the customer. In this episode, she shares how a legacy architecture firm moved from a dated identity to a purpose-driven brand rooted in trust and long-term vision. What started as a simple rebrand quickly became a cultural reset.
Transformation doesn’t stick unless it’s lived from the inside out. Through deep customer research and internal alignment, her team uncovered their strengths and doubled down. Narrowing their focus not only clarified their value but also sparked creativity, growth, and renewed confidence across the organization.
But as business owners and leaders, we know that change is never one-and-done, and the work is continuous. Kathleen reflects on a later failure where internal alignment was skipped, and the results were costly. It’s a reminder that successful change is built on evidence, buy-in, and humility. When done right, transformation is more than a logo rebrand; it’s one that sustains through the ever-evolving needs of your clients, your culture, and your market.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Scientific Methods in Business
00:35 Kathleen's Career Journey
01:53 Driving Change in Organizations
02:51 The Role of Branding and Rebranding
05:51 Voice of the Customer and Its Impact
08:09 Implementing Change and Overcoming Challenges
16:45 The Importance of Internal Buy-In
26:50 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
39:58 Conclusion and Call to Action
Topics Discussed:
- How Kathleen used influence, not authority, to align her team
- The difference between presenting a new image & embodying a new identity
- Why customer feedback is your most valuable brand strategy tool
- How narrowing your focus can lead to exponential growth
- Curating a brand identity that stands out from competition
- Making big change feel human, approachable, and aligned
Connect with Kathleen Margolis:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-margolis-7405934/
About Rethink Change:
When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations uncover what actually works, so you can think differently and act smarter.
Get Connected with Rethink Change:
- Website: https://www.pennebaker.com/podcast
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennebaker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pennebakerbrand
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/pennebaker.bsky.social
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennebakeragency/
View all episodes
By PennebakerWhen it comes to leading transformation, Kathleen Margolis, Client Account Manager at Black & Veatch, shows that real change doesn’t require a top-down mandate; it requires clarity, influence, and a relentless focus on the customer. In this episode, she shares how a legacy architecture firm moved from a dated identity to a purpose-driven brand rooted in trust and long-term vision. What started as a simple rebrand quickly became a cultural reset.
Transformation doesn’t stick unless it’s lived from the inside out. Through deep customer research and internal alignment, her team uncovered their strengths and doubled down. Narrowing their focus not only clarified their value but also sparked creativity, growth, and renewed confidence across the organization.
But as business owners and leaders, we know that change is never one-and-done, and the work is continuous. Kathleen reflects on a later failure where internal alignment was skipped, and the results were costly. It’s a reminder that successful change is built on evidence, buy-in, and humility. When done right, transformation is more than a logo rebrand; it’s one that sustains through the ever-evolving needs of your clients, your culture, and your market.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Scientific Methods in Business
00:35 Kathleen's Career Journey
01:53 Driving Change in Organizations
02:51 The Role of Branding and Rebranding
05:51 Voice of the Customer and Its Impact
08:09 Implementing Change and Overcoming Challenges
16:45 The Importance of Internal Buy-In
26:50 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
39:58 Conclusion and Call to Action
Topics Discussed:
- How Kathleen used influence, not authority, to align her team
- The difference between presenting a new image & embodying a new identity
- Why customer feedback is your most valuable brand strategy tool
- How narrowing your focus can lead to exponential growth
- Curating a brand identity that stands out from competition
- Making big change feel human, approachable, and aligned
Connect with Kathleen Margolis:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-margolis-7405934/
About Rethink Change:
When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations uncover what actually works, so you can think differently and act smarter.
Get Connected with Rethink Change:
- Website: https://www.pennebaker.com/podcast
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennebaker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pennebakerbrand
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/pennebaker.bsky.social
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennebakeragency/