Why Most Change Fails and How to Make Yours Stick
Tue Nov 25 2025
We’ve all heard the stat, “70% of change initiatives fail.” But why? In this episode of Tough Day, KVJ sits down with Phil Kirschner, founder of PK Consulting, LinkedIn Top Voice, and author of The Workline, to unpack what really makes change so hard for teams and leaders alike.
Together, they explore why most “change management” efforts miss the mark, the hidden role of trust and vulnerability in successful transformations, and how to build a culture where experimentation (and even failure) is celebrated, not punished. Phil also shares why leaders need to stop “selling” change and start co-designing it, how to avoid the chaos of “move fast” cultures, and why the future of work demands curiosity, transparency, and a little more grace for ourselves along the way.
What we cover:
Why 70% of organizational change efforts fail — and what that stat really meansThe simple mindset shift that turns resistance into engagementHow the best leaders admit they don’t have all the answers — and invite others to help figure it outThe link between trust, vulnerability, and real transformation (spoiler: you can’t fake it) How to build a culture where failure isn’t fatal — it’s dataWhy “move fast” doesn’t always mean progress — and how to slow down without stalling
Learn more about Phil Kirschner:
Website: https://www.philkirschner.com/
Newsletter: https://www.flexos.work/the-workline
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philkirschner/
Learn more about KVJ | Tough Day
Website: https://tough.day/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kvonjan
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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We’ve all heard the stat, “70% of change initiatives fail.” But why? In this episode of Tough Day, KVJ sits down with Phil Kirschner, founder of PK Consulting, LinkedIn Top Voice, and author of The Workline, to unpack what really makes change so hard for teams and leaders alike. Together, they explore why most “change management” efforts miss the mark, the hidden role of trust and vulnerability in successful transformations, and how to build a culture where experimentation (and even failure) is celebrated, not punished. Phil also shares why leaders need to stop “selling” change and start co-designing it, how to avoid the chaos of “move fast” cultures, and why the future of work demands curiosity, transparency, and a little more grace for ourselves along the way. What we cover: Why 70% of organizational change efforts fail — and what that stat really meansThe simple mindset shift that turns resistance into engagementHow the best leaders admit they don’t have all the answers — and invite others to help figure it outThe link between trust, vulnerability, and real transformation (spoiler: you can’t fake it) How to build a culture where failure isn’t fatal — it’s dataWhy “move fast” doesn’t always mean progress — and how to slow down without stalling Learn more about Phil Kirschner: Website: https://www.philkirschner.com/ Newsletter: https://www.flexos.work/the-workline LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philkirschner/ Learn more about KVJ | Tough Day Website: https://tough.day/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kvonjan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.