EP 268 — Why Leading Change Feels So Hard (And the Science That Makes It Easier) w/ Jeff Wetherhold
88% of organizational changes produce no lasting results. Harvard-trained behavioral scientist Jeff Wetherhold says the reason isn't resistance, it's that we've been teaching leaders the wrong skills for decades.
In this conversation, Jeff and host, Tyler Dickerhoof, revel why inner work alone doesn't translate into better leadership, why "buy-in" is a trap, and why directive communication is quietly destroying trust inside organizations.
Jeff brings more than 20 years of clinical change science into a surprisingly practical conversation about what it takes to lead people through uncertainty, how to listen for motivation and demotivation, why reflecting beats questioning in hard conversations, and how vulnerability stops being a buzzword and becomes a real skill.
Meet Jeff
A former behavioral science researcher trained in change management and adult learning, Jeff has spent 20+ years developing a more effective approach to helping leaders engage the people change depends on.
His work is grounded in Motivational Interviewing, the most practical and evidence-driven method for engaging others in behavior change, adapted for the practical, high-pressure conversations leaders face every day. Jeff has trained thousands of leaders in healthcare, human services, and mission-driven settings in these skills. In a statewide initiative spanning 100+ organizations, 97% of participants applied what they learned, leading to a 40% improvement in change leadership capability.
Jeff is writing Change with Dignity: Leading Others to Change Without Exhausting Yourself, a book on engagement skills for change leaders. He holds a Master's in Education from Harvard University and is a faculty member with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, a board member of Motivational Interviewing in Leadership and Organizations (MILO), and a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT).
Jeff brings clarity, calm presence, and dry humor to rooms where the stakes are high and the skepticism is higher. He lives in Maine with his family.
Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Jeff
On LinkedIn
On YouTube @wetherhold
The Tyler Dickerhoof Show
https://www.youtube.com/@impactdrivenleader
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About the Tyler Dickerhoof Show Podcast
The Impact Driven Leader Podcast, hosted by Tyler Dickerhoof, is for Xillennial leaders who have felt alone and ill-equipped to lead in today's world. Through inspiring interviews with authors from around the world, Tyler uncovers how unique leadership strengths can empower others to achieve so much more, with real impact.
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