Leading Through Change ft. Joe Rogalski

IT Leaders

In this episode of IT Leaders, Joe Rogalski, Vice President of IT at Delta Force, discusses the evolving nature of leadership in a rapidly changing technological landscape. With a career spanning global roles in both consumer goods and industrial manufacturing, Joe shares insights on leading teams through ongoing transformations. His current company, known for innovations like voice-controlled and touch-sensitive faucets, exemplifies how technology integrates deeply into everyday life and operations.

Joe highlights the importance of embracing change, arguing that instead of “leading through” it (which implies a clear end), IT leaders must learn to “lead with” change. He explores strategies centered on human-centric leadership, emphasizing emotional intelligence, the role of feedback, and the need to cultivate adaptability.

A key takeaway from Joe’s talk is the SARAH model of change, derived from the Kubler-Ross framework. It tracks emotional reactions to change—Shock, Anger, Rejection, Acceptance, and Hope—offering leaders a way to understand and support their teams’ emotional journeys. He also stresses the value of seeking and listening to feedback, distinguishing between “listening to win” and “listening to learn,” the latter being essential for fostering empathy and growth.

Throughout the discussion, Joe reframes change as an opportunity for growth and innovation, urging leaders to view it as a constant process. He closes with a reminder from Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution: survival and success in both life and business depend on adaptability.

Listeners will leave this episode inspired to rethink their leadership approaches, equipped with practical models for navigating and leveraging change effectively.