Time We Discuss: Become a Change Manager
Watch/Listen to this Episode Become a Change Manager
In this episode of Time We Discuss, we are joined with Candace MacPhie, a former change manager who transitioned into writing. The discussion explores Candace's career in change management, her experiences in corporate leadership, and her decision to leave that world to pursue writing.
Candace begins by describing her role as a change manager, explaining how she worked with organizations undergoing transitions such as mergers, technical implementations, or office relocations. She emphasizes that the primary responsibility of a change manager is to assess the impact of these changes on employees, identify key stakeholders, and implement strategies to help people adapt. She outlines the process of compiling stakeholder analyses, categorizing impact levels, and creating change plans to ensure smooth transitions. One of her core beliefs in change management is that employees do not necessarily need to like a new system or process; they just need to know how to use it effectively without disruption to their work.
She also explains the close working relationship between change managers and project managers. While project managers handle logistics and execution, change managers focus on people and organizational culture. Candace describes herself as a "silent observer," identifying resistance to change through verbal and non-verbal cues in meetings and proactively addressing concerns.
The conversation shifts to education and career preparation. Candace shares her perspective on undergraduate degrees, arguing that students should study subjects they are passionate about rather than solely pursuing business degrees. She believes that an undergraduate education primarily teaches critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving skills, which are transferable across industries. While she holds an MBA specializing in change management, she stresses that real-world experience often has a more significant impact on career growth than any particular degree.
Candace then discusses her departure from corporate life, citing long working hours and a desire to spend more time with her three children. She reflects on how she once thrived on the adrenaline of high-stakes corporate work but eventually found that excitement was outweighed by the realization that she was missing out on family life. This led her to resign and embark on a new journey as an author.
Her writing career began with revisiting journals from a year-long backpacking trip she took in the 1990s after her mother passed away. She initially believed her corporate experience would make writing easy but quickly realized that storytelling required a completely different skill set. She sought guidance from experienced editors and authors to refine her work, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in creative pursuits.
Candace has published two books, Finding Color and Life Strikes Back, which document her travel experiences, relationships, and personal growth. Her upcoming book, Hello, I Am Here, explores her time in the Middle East. She describes these books as humorous, nostalgic, and reflective of an era before smartphones and GPS.
The episode concludes with Candace encouraging aspiring writers to be patient, seek the right mentorship, and not be discouraged by the learning curve. She emphasizes that the key to success in any field is persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to continuously improve.
Links from the Show
Also Mentioned in This Episode:
- Freelance Book Editor - How to Turn Your Passion Into a Career
- Day in the Life of a Confidence Coach
- Senior Manager
- Becoming a Sports Psychologist
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