The Inner Game of Change

Welcome to The Inner Game of Change, the podcast where we explore the unseen forces that shape how we lead, adapt, and thrive in the face of change and transformation.

In today’s episode, we explore a powerful way of thinking and working that helps people navigate complexity, solve tough problems, and grow through structured learning — the Improvement Kata .

My guest is Tracy Defoe — a lifelong adult educator, Kata coach, and passionate advocate for deliberate, reflective learning at work. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Tracy shares her deep insights into how the Kata practice — inspired by Toyota’s continuous improvement approach — helps individuals and teams move forward, even when the way ahead is unclear.

We unpack what the Kata actually is, how it works, and why it's far more than a business tool — it's a mindset shift. We also touch on the role of psychological safety, the difference between goals and challenges, and how leaders can become coaches who build capability, not just compliance.

If you’re curious about how to embed continuous improvement in a way that feels human, sustainable, and empowering — this one is for you.

I am grateful to have Tracy chatting with me today.

About Tracy

Aims to make you smarter about learning.
Adult Education professional specializing in learning at work. Interested in culture change, supporting peer-leadership, informal learning, multiple literacies and communication in diverse settings.
Experienced in designing and implementing innovative learning at work programs.
Humble Lean Practitioner interested in combining my interests in Lean with Adult Learning and Culture Change. Student of the Kata, Coach and Learner.
Improvement and Coaching Kata learner and coach. Volunteer Host of the Cascadia Kata Dojo Community Call - a 30 minute weekly zoom meeting for Kata Coaches From British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California.
Specialties: Customized solutions, embedding lean or essential skills in content training, facilitation of improvements or supporting leaders in improving their facilitation, communicating with the workforce, re-framing change as learning challenge, training design and delivery, implementation and evaluation.
Facilitating meetings and retreats for clients, strategic planning, realizing a mission and vision to a Challenge, and a daily improvement plan.
Plain Language and Clear Design.

Contact

Tracy’s Profile

linkedin.com/in/tracydefoe

Website

thelearningfactor.ca (Company)

Email

[email protected]

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Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast

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In this special highlights episode of The Inner Game of Change podcast, we revisit some of the most impactful moments from our top episodes. While every conversation this year has been rich with invaluable insights, these highlights showcase standout lessons and perspectives that have resonated deeply with our audience. Join me as we explore key themes in leadership, change, and transformation.
I am grateful for all of my guests' time, insight and wisdom.
As we wrap up 2024, I want to thank you for being part of The Inner Game of Change. Your support and engagement have made every episode truly meaningful. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, safe, and restful holiday season. I can’t wait to kick off 2025 with another amazing lineup of guests, creative conversations, and transformative ideas. Until next year, stay well, stay curious, and approach every change with courage and curiosity!
Episodes in this summary include :

E76 - Rethinking Change: From Behavioural Conditioning to Regenerative Transformation - Podcast with Carol Sanford
E75 - Change Journey : Performer to Master - Podcast with Dr Jess Tayel
E73 - Change Leadership In Higher Education - Podcast with Vice Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell
E71 - Winning Against Resistance To Change - Podcast with Dr. David Weiss
E67 - What's Organizational Change Management? - Podcast with Paula Anastasiade
E65 - The Change Management Flywheel - Podcast with Terri Block & Susan Bartlett
E64 - AI Change by Design for Impact - Podcast with Sarah Kaur
E62 - Becoming a Change Maker - Podcast with Alex Budak
E60 - How AI will Revolutionise Change Management - Podcast with Jason Little

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An Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast

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Welcome to The Inner Game of Change, the podcast that explores the evolving landscape of change management, leadership, and transformation. I am your host, Ali Juma, and today, we have a truly unique and groundbreaking episode.

For the first time, we’re shifting perspectives by inviting a generative AI—yes, a chatbot—into the conversation. Together, we will dive into the transformative power of AI, its impact on the workplace, and how leaders, change managers, and consultants can harness its potential to drive meaningful progress.

Whether you are curious about the future of AI or looking for actionable insights to navigate change, this episode promises to be thought-provoking and practical. So, let’s explore the intersection of technology and human ingenuity in this one-of-a-kind discussion.

Let’s get started!

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An Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast

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Welcome and thank you for checking in at the Inner Game of Change Podcast where I focus on exploring the multi layers of managing organisational change.
Today, my guest is Ro Gorell; and established global High-Performance Coach, Author and a Change Expert.

Having been a business leader & change specialist for over 30 years, Ro has first-hand experience of the challenges leaders face during transforming their organisations.

Being an expert in coaching teams through change, in this episode, Ro and I chat about the complexity of leading change, various strategies to coach teams through change and role of the change managers to contribute to the Organisational behaviour.

I am grateful to have Ro chatting with me today.

Topics include:

1. Strategies for effective coaching
2. Coaching through change discomfort
3. Change Management as a talent capability
4. How to grow adaptable teams
5. Roles of leader during change
6. Culture change vs Behavior change
7. Ro's books
8. Ro’s advice for change managers as coaches

and much more...
About Ro (In her own words)
Too often, I hear leaders say they wish they knew how to make change simpler. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the challenges of adapting to a fast-changing world have increased. Remote teams and working from home have added even more complexity into the mix.
Do you lead a team or a group of team leaders?
Today's world is complex and changing rapidly, with 80% of organisations operating almost wholly in teams.
Team literacy is now an essential competence for all team leaders. Today's challenges need collaborative teams.
How do you lead change, balancing the 'soft' and 'hard' aspects, especially with remote teams? How can you do this in a rapidly changing environment?
Here's how:
✶ CO-CREATE THE CHANGE WITH YOUR PEOPLE ✶
✶ COACH TEAMS, SO THEY CAN NAVIGATE CHALLENGES ✶
✶ HELP TEAMS CREATE CLARITY OF PURPOSE ✶
I help business leaders and their teams work together on change outcomes that deliver value for stakeholders.
Having been a business leader & change specialist for over 30 years, I have first-hand experience of the challenges leaders face transforming their organisations.
What is our offer?
► Coaching Teams Through Change
• Helps teams navigate challenges of today's hyper-complex and fast-changing world
• Enables teams to create better processes for decision-making, communication and organising work
• Supports teams to work more effectively with other teams
• Helps teams develop greater clarity of purpose
• Supports teams becoming 'future fit'
► Leading Transformation in the Digital World
• Increase confidence in your ability to leverage tools and models to lead transformational change within your organisation
• Learn concepts and skills you can apply in your daily work with great success
• Gain insights and moments of revelation, as well as discover areas where you can improve as a leader
• Learn strategies for leading change and dealing with 'pushback' or negative attitudes towards change
•

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An Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast

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Welcome to the Inner Game of Change Podcast where we focus on exploring the multi layers of managing organisational change effectively.

Our guests cover a diverse number of critical topics to enable change adoption including communication, leadership, training, change practice, process design, change capability and much more.

Today, I am joined by Paul Gibbons to discuss his recently published book Impact (Volume 2 of the Leading Change in the digital age series).

A thought leader, prolific author and passionate speaker in the field of leading change, Paul shares the current trends, the emerging tools as well as the mindsets required to define the ever more evolving future of change management practice.

In this podcast and for the first time, Paul will share his upcoming venture to reshape the future of change management.
Check out Paul Gibbons on
https://paulgibbons.net/
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulggibbons/

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Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast

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