The Change Agents Podcast

New Roles, Same Mission: Value, AI, and the Year of the Reckoning

AI is the New UI… But Is Anyone Getting Value? Big summer. New roles. Same obsession with transformation. In this episode, Pete and Kat compare notes on what happens when you step into new gigs right as AI goes from “this is cool” to “okay… but is it actually doing anything?” They get into: * How AI is still, inconveniently, a people problem * Why “AI is the new UI” is about to stop being a slogan * Why most organisations don’t have an AI problem… they have a focus problem * And yes… the AI reckoning that’s coming when everyone looks up and goes “oh no...what have we done?” * A sneak peek at what’s coming at Knowledge (it’s big 👀) * And Pete bravely preparing for a life without proper Australian coffee (thoughts and prayers) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

CIOs, It’s Time for a Tech Debt Intervention (Caleb Hammer Style)

If Caleb Hammer hosted a show for CIOs, this would be the episode. 💥 Kat and Pete sit down to deliver the roast every IT leader needs - unpacking how technical debt quietly drains innovation, creates risk exposure, and costs you 27% interest on every “quick fix”. In this episode: 🚨 Why tech debt isn’t an IT issue - it’s an organizational problem 💸 The real cost of duplicate platforms, workarounds, and “Jimmy’s app” 🧱 How to renovate your tech foundations without stopping innovation 🤖 Why ignoring integration points will haunt your AI strategy 🧭 Practical steps to measure, manage, and reduce tech debt for good If your IT architecture looks like a house with rotting walls - this is your sign to call an intervention. 🎧 Subscribe to The Change Agents Podcast for more brutally honest takes on digital transformation, AI, and the future of enterprise agility. --- Hosted by ServiceNow's human agents: Peter McDonnell, Chief Transformation Officer and Katrina Read, Director of Transformation APJ See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

You Can’t Buy Transformation: Why Toxic Leadership Kills Great Tech

You can buy the best platform, hire the best consultants, and build the best plan - but if your leadership is flaky and your culture is toxic, all you’ve upgraded is your failure rate. In this episode of The Change Agents, Kat and Pete unpack why culture is the operating system of every transformation -and why leadership is the version update that determines whether change sticks or stalls. From “change theatre” to genuine leadership, trust, and vulnerability, this one’s a must-listen for anyone leading digital or AI-driven transformation in 2025. #Leadership #Culture #DigitalTransformation #ServiceNow #AILeadership #ChangeManagement #WorkCulture See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Innovation vs Transformation: What’s the Difference?

What’s the real difference between innovation and transformation—and why do so many leaders get it wrong? 🤔 In this episode, Kat and Pete break it down with simple analogies (including The Wizard of Oz 👠), real-world examples like Kodak, Netflix, and Uber, and a few laughs about gym memberships and ruby slippers along the way. Key insights you’ll learn: 💡 Why innovation = new ways of doing things (products, services, customer experience)  💡 Why transformation = the cultural, process, and technology shifts that make innovation stick 💡 The dangers of “innovation without transformation” (and vice versa)  💡 Practical tips for executives: how to measure success, empower people, and balance both for sustainable growth Whether you’re a CEO, business leader, or transformation strategist, this conversation will help you rethink how to drive change, embrace AI, and build future-ready organizations. --- Hosted by ServiceNow's human agents: Peter McDonnell, Chief Transformation Officer and Katrina Read, Director of Transformation APJ See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Unsung Heroes of Digital Transformation | Why “Becky in Finance” is the Real Change Agent

When we think about digital transformation, most people picture engineers, coders, or the CIO. But the real heroes often sit outside of IT - people like Becky in Finance, HR leaders, procurement teams, and legal advisors. In this episode, Kat and Pete dive into why transformation only sticks when organisations empower these unsung heroes. From employee experience to automation, self-service, and AI, we explore how everyday change agents are driving sustainable innovation. 👉 What you’ll learn: * Why transformation is enterprise-wide - not just IT’s job * How HR and finance are shaping employee experience and business outcomes * The power of self-service and AI to unlock capacity for teams * How to measure impact and sustain change beyond phase one * Why recognising and empowering your “Beckys” is critical to success Whether you’re in finance, HR, legal, or IT, this conversation shows how transformation is about people first, technology second. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.