Minimising disruption to business through change management
Friska Wirya is a Fractional Change Leader and the Director of the Future Fit Group. The Future Fit Group provides bespoke change management advisory services to help business leaders navigate change successfully and sustainably.
In this episode, Friska shares her experiences as a people and change management consultant and how she successfully helped WA Police with restructuring their systems. She also explains the importance of relational intelligence (RQ), the common misconceptions and mistakes leaders make during change, and why you shouldn’t take the biscuits out of the office kitchen.
Key lessons from the podcast
Relational Intelligence (RQ) is Critical in Change
Friska emphasised that while technical plans and processes are important, the ability to read, understand, and respond to people is what makes or breaks change initiatives. Leaders who invest in building trust and strong relationships are far more successful in guiding teams through uncertainty.
Leaders Often Mismanage Change by Oversimplifying It
A common mistake leaders make is assuming change is purely about systems and processes. Friska highlighted that overlooking the human side of change—employee fears, resistance, and morale—creates friction and slows transformation. True change leadership requires addressing both structure and culture.
Small Details Shape Culture and Engagement
Her lighthearted yet telling story about “not taking the biscuits out of the office kitchen” underscored that even seemingly minor decisions affect how employees feel valued and respected. These small cultural cues can either reinforce trust and belonging—or erode them.
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