Thank you for joining my session at HRSouthwest 2025—Leading Change without Losing Culture!

This page is your one-stop resource for everything we covered, including frameworks, references, and ways to stay connected.

Whether you attended live or are catching up afterward, I hope these tools help you lead change with clarity, courage, and culture at the center.

And of course—let’s stay in touch!

Tara Waddle, SHRM-CP

Key Takeaways

Here’s a quick recap of the core practices we explored together during Leading Change Without Losing Culture. These are the guiding actions that help organizations navigate transitions while keeping their culture intact:

The Three Practices

Say the Human Part
Cut through jargon and say what matters in clear, plain language. Clarity isn’t corporate, it’s kindness.
Make Connection Easy
When change hits, people will talk. Give them a simple, intentional space to process and ask questions. Don’t let the rumor mill lead the conversation.
Ask Before You Answer
Listening first turns resistance into resilience. Ask what’s unclear before launching into explanations.

Anchor with Values

When everything else shifts—tools, structures, leadership—values act as the compass. Start with what’s real: what you reward, what you tolerate, and what truly defines your culture.

Understand the Psychology

Change itself isn’t what people resist. It’s the loss (of control, certainty, or competence) that triggers pushback. Address those fears directly, and communication becomes your most powerful change tool.