Why Does It Feel So Wrong To Be Human At Work?

Ep 01 | Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Embrace Change?

Episode Summary

Change is inevitable, but why does it feel so uncomfortable at work? From sudden reorgs to shifting expectations, employees are often left feeling powerless. In this episode, Chris and Pinaki explore why change is so hard to navigate, how uncertainty workplace culture, and what leaders can do to make transitions smoother. Let’s rethink how we approach change so that it feels less like a disruption and more like an opportunity.

Episode Notes

Season 2, Episode 1: Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Embrace Change at Work?

Episode Description:
We’re back! After a much-anticipated break, hosts Pinaki Kathiari (CEO of Local Wisdom, co-founder of Resource Hero) and Chris Lee (VP at Gallagher Communications, President of IABC Toronto) kick off Season 2 of Why Does it Feel So Wrong to Be Human at Work? by tackling one of the most universal and misunderstood workplace experiences: change.

In this deeply personal and practical conversation, Pinaki and Chris explore:

• Why change is so uncomfortable—and sometimes even painful
• How workplace culture impacts our ability to embrace change
• The psychology and physiology behind how humans process transitions
• The double-edged sword of being either too eager or too resistant to change
• What internal communications and people leaders can do to humanize change
• Tips for helping teams reframe change as a growth opportunity
• Personal stories, like riding a Waymo self-driving car, to illustrate the emotional complexity of navigating the unknown

Plus, they debut a new segment: “Wisdom That Feels So Right”, where they recommend books that help make sense of change and guide listeners through it.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome back: The evolution of the podcast and workplace conversations
03:00 – How the idea of humanizing the workplace gained traction
05:45 – What makes change feel so wrong at work
09:00 – Control, identity, and the emotional impact of organizational shifts
14:30 – Change as pain: The rollercoaster of excitement and fear
18:00 – Riding Waymo: An experiential metaphor for personal change
21:00 – Risk tolerance and managing emotional responses to uncertainty
27:00 – Suffering vs. reality: A mindset shift in navigating change
30:00 – Lessons from Who Moved My Cheese?
34:00 – Wisdom That Feels So Right: Books and frameworks on change
37:30 – Final thoughts: Making change a positive habit

Wisdom that Feels So Right

• Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
• The Dip by Seth Godin
• Quit by Annie Duke
• Illuminate by Nancy Duarte
• The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmondson
• Leading Change by John Kotter
• Range by David Epstein
• Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
• Ayurvedic Wellness by Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar

Connect with Us
Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom

Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
Did something we said spark a new thought? Did you feel seen, challenged, or even frustrated by our take? We want to hear from you. Drop us a comment on LinkedIn or tag us in your reflections. And if you found this valuable, please rate, review, and share the episode to help others bring more humanness into the workplace.