Paul Donovan was working an impressive, well-paid job in a Fortune-500 pharmaceutical co, when he decided to leave it all behind. Starting out from ground zero, he became a solo consultant under the name The Change Company.
Now, 21 years later, he’s in high demand, consulting to high-flying, senior executives, helping them to clarify their vision, fix their culture, resolve conflict, and succeed in the corporate world.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. In our interview, Paul opens up about some intensely personal moments – including the terror of losing all his clients on day one; and the corporate gig that turned into a train-wreck.
He also gives us a fascinating insight into what it’s like to sit in a room with executives at loggerheads, and guide them to a place of reconciliation. And you’ll catch some of Paul’s expertise, too, on handling conflict, and creating a more safe and honest workplace .
Key Moments in This Episode
- 03:17
Leaving his well-paying job, Paul took a risk and went solo as a consultant. The day of his farewell, he found out that he’d just lost every single one of his startup clients… - 05:52
Paul describes a unique strategy he used in the early days of his business, to help himself feel positive when phoning prospective clients. - 10:32
10 years into his business, Paul tried to grow a bigger team… and it didn’t go as planned. - 15:28
Anxiety and stress management … Paul shares the strategies he’s used to manage his anxiety levels. - 22:45
Paul shares about the time he spoke at an event and it turned into a train wreck – and how he used that experience to grow as a person, and as a business. - 28:29
A sneak peek inside a coaching session, where executives of a large firm are in intense conflict. - 32:35
The strategies Paul uses to help a group in conflict. - 37:33
Psychologically safe workplaces – what are they, and how do we create them? - 41:36
Paul leaves us with a great tip for starting a new business venture.
Paul Donovan’s Most Influential Books List
- Senior Leadership Teams
What it takes to make them great - The Deep Democracy of Open Forums
Practical Steps to Conflict Prevention and Resolution - The Executive Guide to Facilitating Strategy
- An Everyone Culture
Becoming a Deliberately Developmental Organisation - Building Conflict Competent Teams
- Mastering Leadership
- Immunity to Change
How to overcome it and unlock the potential in yourself and your organisation - Dialogue
And the art of thinking together - Simple Habits for Complex Times
Powerful practices for leaders
In our interview, Paul also mentioned…
- Atomic Habits
by James Clear - Anxiety
Expert Advice from a Neurotic Shrink Who’s Lived with Anxiety All His Life – by Dr Mark Cross
Learn More
- Paul Donovan is a Corporate Facilitator and Coach at The Change Company
- Explore all podcast episodes.
