Stuck

Our resistance to change

In today's dynamic environment, stagnancy isn't viable. Organizations face technological shifts, increased competition, hybrid work models, generational changes, and cultural evolutions. Overcoming our cognitive resistance to change, exacerbated by complexity, is crucial.

James will reveal how to surpass these barriers, fostering curiosity, granular thinking, and optimism. He offers tools for boosting creativity and building resilience for lasting success, guiding you to get UnStuck!

UnStuck Package:

A Three-Step Program for Organizational Transformation

Initiating and managing change is more critical than ever, yet it remains a daunting challenge for many organizations. Recognizing that true transformation requires more than just surface-level inspiration, James Kane has developed a robust three-step UnStuck Program. This immersive journey takes organizations far beyond the initial spark of a keynote presentation, offering a deeper dive into the practicalities and intricacies of effecting real change.

Together, these three steps form a comprehensive approach to helping organizations break free from stagnation and embrace the possibilities of change, ensuring they are not just prepared for the future but are actively shaping it. James’ UnStuck Program is not just about understanding the need for change; it's about equipping organizations with the tools, insights, and strategies to make change happen and sustain it.

Unstuck

Keynote Presentation

  • James Kane delivers a compelling 1-hour keynote presentation on the UnStuck concept. This session delves into the cognitive forces controlling change and the barriers that keep organizations from reaching their full potential.

    Video:

    https://vimeo.com/864458972?share=copy

  • In a world where change is constant, organizations often find themselves paralyzed by outdated practices and mindsets. This keynote offers vital insights into overcoming these challenges, making it an essential message for any organization looking to thrive.

  • Understanding and navigating the complexities of change is crucial for staying relevant and competitive. James’ UnStuck keynote equips leaders with the knowledge and actionable tools to initiate meaningful transformations within their organizations.

Black Cat Challenge

Workshop

  • Following the keynote, James engages with the leadership team, select groups, or the entire organization to conduct The Black Cat Challenge. This interactive exercise is designed to uncover hidden challenges and blind spots – the “black cats” – within the “dark rooms” of the organization.

  • The exercise can be introduced in a few hours and can span a half-day, a full day, or several months, depending on the organization’s needs. It’s a deep dive into identifying and understanding the core issues that hinder progress and the hidden opportunities to grow and flourish.

  • The Black Cat Challenge illuminates areas of ignorance, revealing critical issues and their impact on the organization. It fosters a culture of transparency, curiosity, granularity, optimism, and proactive problem-solving.

Extraction Plan

Development Process

  • The Extraction Plan is a strategic initiative that complements and supports an organization’s Strategic Plan. While the Strategic Plan focuses on future goals and pathways, the Extraction Plan identifies and addresses the existing hindrances and legacy issues that could derail these objectives.

  • The plan is crafted to work in tandem with the organization’s strategic goals and “in-house” initiatives, ensuring a break from the restraints holding it back and impeding progress.

  • In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s not just the direction of progress that matters, but also the ability to advance effectively. The Extraction Plan plays a crucial role in this context. It ensures that an organization is not only focused on future goals but also free from the constraints of its past, hardened beliefs, and outdated practices. This makes the plan an essential element in any strategic effort, facilitating unimpeded progress and adaptability.

Download the brochure that explains each program in greater detail:

Additional Workshops

Below are additional workshops and development programs James offers that support an organization’s efforts to get Unstuck.

UnStuck Leadership

From Stagnation to Innovation

  • In the fast-evolving business landscape of the modern era, leaders are often caught between the tried-and-true and the new, between comfort in consistency and the need for change.

    This is a transformative workshop that guides participants through the art of agile leadership and offers insights into the dual nature of connection—how the very ties that bond can also bind us to outdated practices and hinder progress. This workshop is an in-depth exploration of how leaders can identify and overcome the invisible barriers that keep their organizations from moving forward.

    "Unstuck Leadership" isn't just a workshop; it's a strategic pivot point for you and your organization to rejuvenate your approach to change management. Prepare to leave equipped with the knowledge and skills to steer your team with confidence through transformational times and secure a place at the forefront of industry innovation.

  • Recognize the signs of organizational paralysis and the psychology behind resistance to change.

    Develop strategies to foster a culture that balances loyalty with flexibility, ensuring that commitment to your organization does not become an impediment to growth.

    Apply James' practical framework for creating an environment where innovation thrives without abandoning the core values that define your organizational identity.

    Equip yourself with the tools to dismantle the shackles of conformity, enabling your team to embrace change and seize new opportunities.

    Master the art of "Unstuck Leadership," ensuring your leadership style remains dynamic and responsive to the shifting tides of the global market.

Reimagining Inclusion

The Belonging Imperative

  • This pioneering workshop translates James’ 30 years of research on the fabric of human connections into a robust framework for propelling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) forward in your organization. This workshop integrates James’ in-depth exploration of loyalty and the cognitive underpinnings of relationships, with the pressing imperative for DEI.

    James has meticulously mapped out how people and organizations form bonds and how these connections can both enhance and impede progress. His workshop offers an unparalleled look into how these dynamics can be recalibrated to cultivate an environment where diversity thrives. He will unveil how the same forces that create strong, loyal relationships can, if not properly managed, also contribute to unconscious biases and resistance to change.

    This workshop's fusion of empirical research with practical, real-world applications makes it different. Participants will engage in dynamic discussions and exercises that reveal how deeply rooted loyalties and beliefs can influence workplace culture. He will guide you through the process of identifying these often invisible barriers and provide you with the tools to dismantle them.

  • Translate the cognitive aspects of connection into a strategic advantage for DEI initiatives.

    Recognize and address the subtle dynamics that can maintain the status quo and hinder inclusivity.

    Employ innovative techniques that disrupt traditional thinking and foster an inclusive mindset.

    Leverage the principles of loyalty to build a more cohesive, supportive, and diverse organizational culture.

    Apply James’ proprietary frameworks to measure and sustain progress in DEI objectives.

    This workshop promises a transformative experience by not only imparting knowledge but also by reshaping the very paradigms through which we view and enact DEI. Be prepared to challenge your preconceptions, unlock the full potential of your team, and lead the charge towards a genuinely inclusive future with James’ unique and expert guidance.

Black Cat Program

Challenging the Status Quo

  • Insight doesn't just appear out of thin air—it comes from asking tough questions and not settling for easy answers. The Black Cat Challenge is all about rolling up your sleeves and digging into the less obvious parts of your organization to find the 'black cats'—the hidden factors that can really make or break your success.

    Every company has 'dark rooms'. These are the things everyone does out of habit or tradition but doesn't really think about, like old-school ways of working or projects that just keep going because "that's how it's always been done." These areas are so familiar they’re almost invisible, and that's exactly where the black cats like to hide.

    The goal here is to get teams to switch on the flashlight and get into these dark rooms. It's about getting them to ask questions they’ve never asked before and to spot what they’ve been missing all along. This isn't just about poking around for the sake of it; it's about learning to use a critical eye to spot the good and the bad lurking in the shadows.

    The Black Cat Challenge is not for the faint-hearted. It's for teams ready to challenge what they think they know. The workshop will teach them how to use logic, sharp thinking, and a bit of skepticism to shake up their usual ways of thinking.

    After going through this challenge, teams will come out sharper and more aware of the hidden parts of their work that they need to change or use to their advantage. This is about getting ahead by uncovering the hidden gems or potential pitfalls that have been right under their noses all along.

    In short, The Black Cat Challenge is a wake-up call. It's about shedding light on the hidden corners of your company and dealing with what you find there, whether it's an opportunity to grab or a problem to fix.

  • uncover the black cats of your organization hiding in the dark rooms you haven’t explored.