In this episode of the Project Chatter podcast, Val Matthews speaks with Dr. Tammy Watchhorn about the intersection of change management, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience. They explore how emotions influence our reactions and responses in high-pressure environments, the importance of mental health awareness in project management, and practical tools for managing change. Tammy shares her personal journey of transformation and emphasizes the need for self-awareness and resilience in navigating workplace dynamics. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on the future of work and the importance of empowering individuals to take control of their work environments.
Takeaways
Emotions play a crucial role in how we react to change.
Understanding neuroscience can help us manage our responses.
Recognizing physical sensations is key to emotional regulation.
Choosing to respond rather than react leads to better outcomes.
Building resilience is essential in high-pressure environments.
Mental health awareness is increasingly important in project management.
Emotional intelligence can be developed and applied in the workplace.
Navigating difficult conversations requires empathy and understanding.
Neurodiversity should be acknowledged and accommodated in teams.
Empowering individuals leads to a more engaged and productive workforce.
Guest
Tammy Watchorn
Facilitator, educator, coach, disruptr at An Sas Consulting and QUBE Unlimited
Dr Tammy Watchorn trained as a scientist before moving into the complex landscape of healthcare to lead change. After some slow starts she began to realise that her hard-won accreditation in the process of change leadership was meaningless: the only way to achieve success was to focus on people. By understanding those involved in change as individuals, not ‘stakeholders’, she developed a pragmatic way of making progress by stealth using ‘ninja’ moves. Her own neuro-atypical approach allows her to see things differently, to look at the whole rather than the parts, and to help others to see things differently too. There’s no accreditation or one-size-fits-all process for Change Ninjas but there is now, at least, a handbook. Tammy shares her stories and her approach to leading change widely on social media and in national media and industry publications. She’s also a regular keynote speaker at conferences.
