Change that works

Change that works

by ICG
EntrepreneurshipManagement
Season 2
Your „one ESG manager” can’t save your company, your leadership and culture will
We talk about ESG as if it were mainly about emissions, reports, and ticking the right boxes. But in practice, the biggest sustainability risk is often much closer to home. In this episode of Change That Works, we explore the uncomfortable truth most ESG discussions avoid: culture and leadership practices can make or break sustainability long before carbon targets do. Today's host, György Péczely with sustainability leader and consultant Kristiina Kiviharju, together challenge the idea that hiring one ESG manager can “handle” sustainability for the organization. We discuss why sustainability is fundamentally about future business viability, why aiming for the “legal minimum” is a dangerous strategy, and how toxic work cultures quietly undermine even the best ESG ambitions. Drawing parallels between ESG and lean thinking, the conversation reframes poor leadership and emotional overload as real waste — the kind that drains performance, drives burnout, and destroys trust. This is a candid discussion for leaders who suspect that the real ESG work doesn’t start in dashboards, but in how people are led every day. If you have questions or want to continue the discussion, reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com.
S2 · E4
Apr 29, 2026
31:29
Serve Everyone, Reach No One: The Segmentation Wake‑Up Call
In this episode of Change That Works, host Alexandra Popescu sits down with strategy and market-centricity expert Carina Christian-Kradischnig to unpack what it really takes to turn customer insights into strategic decisions. They explore why many companies are “data rich but decision poor,” how smart segmentation creates a shared language across teams, and why integrating segmentation into your CRM is the key to making it actionable. If your CRM feels like a database instead of a decision system, this conversation will help you move from dashboards and reports to focus, priorities, and measurable business impact. If you have questions or want to continue the discussion, reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com.
S2 · E3
Apr 9, 2026
25:55
Middle Managers Who Make It Work
Middle managers sit right at the core of organizational life, they are the beating heart of change — but their reality is often far more complex than it appears. In this episode of the podcast, we dive into the unique pressures and enormous potential of this role: from balancing strategic expectations with day‑to‑day realities, to navigating identity shifts, stress, and the lonely middle. How can middle managers make the most of their sandwich position? Together with our guests Hannah Flachberger and Kinga Illyés, you’ll learn what truly helps middle managers stay effective, empowered, and energized — and how leaders can support them in doing so. Packed with practical tools, personal insights, and fresh perspectives, this conversation sheds new light on a role that keeps organizations running. If you have questions or want to continue the discussion, reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com.
S2 · E2
Feb 23, 2026
33:20
Inside Cultural Change
Culture isn’t a soft topic; it’s the operating system of your strategy. In this episode of Change That Works, host György Péczely talks with Manfred Höfler about how leaders can transform their organisational culture from a barrier into a competitive advantage. Forget surveys and slogans — this is about real behaviour, real decisions and real business impact. We delve into the patterns that silently shape performance, going behind the scenes of cultural change — beyond talk and campaigns. If you want to understand why your organisation behaves the way it does, start here. Essential listening for executives navigating transformation. If you have any questions for György or Manfred or are interested in collaborating, reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com
S2 · E1
Jan 30, 2026
32:08
Season 1
6 Change Myths We’re Leaving Behind in the old year 
In this special Christmas edition, all the Change That Works hosts – Carola, Alexandra, and Gyuri – sit down together to bust some of the biggest myths they hear in their work as change consultants. From the seductive illusion of big transformation plans to the false comfort of “just doing a training,” they challenge the assumptions that block real change from happening. Expect personal stories, sharp insights, a few laughs, and a look behind the curtain of what actually works when it comes to leading transformation. For this episode we will be welcoming all of our hosts – Alexandra, Carola and György – who will be busting the change myths and sharing their personal experiences with you. If you have any questions for our hosts or are interested in collaborating reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com
S1 · E15
Dec 23, 2025
38:52
The Human Company Reset
Every CEO wants results: improved efficiency, shorter lead times, and streamlined processes. However, few dare to admit that the real bottleneck is leadership behaviour, rather than a lack of tools or the knowledge how to use them. In this episode of Change That Works, host György Péczely talks with Josef Procházka, revealing the uncomfortable truths about leadership that companies often fail to recognise to be essential for any transformation. If you have any questions for György or Josef or are interested in collaborating, reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com
S1 · E14
Dec 10, 2025
30:32
The Second Operating System with OKRs: Turning Strategy into Results
In this episode of Change That Works, Alexandra Popescu-Zorica talks with Michael Sarnitz, Managing Partner at ICG, about how organizations can turn strategy from a PowerPoint promise into daily reality. They explore why even the best strategies fail in execution, what “second operating systems” can do to bridge that gap, and how OKRs can shift teams from activity-based to results-based work. This conversation is a deep dive into the real work of strategy — ownership, mindset, and rhythm — and how to make strategic plans survive first contact with the calendar. Main insights and topics covered: The Strategy–Execution Gap What Strategy Really Means Ownership in Strategy Development The “Second Operating System” Time as a Critical Resource From Activities to Results OKRs vs KPIs Explained If you have any questions for Alexandraor Michael or are interested in collaborating, reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com
S1 · E13
Oct 28, 2025
37:35
When Comfort Crumbles, Courage Speaks
Change is always challenging, and sometimes frightening. In this episode of Change That Works, host György Péczely talks with István Kosztolányi about the experiences of successful, and less successful change processes. We discuss what makes change work, and how leaders step up to the task. István shares some of the most memorable cases he has witnessed during his 30+ years of consultant career. We discuss the underlying principles and draw pragmatic conclusions, showing how the courage and openness of leaders can help organisations through the most difficult periods of change. If you have any questions for György or István or are interested in collaborating reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com
S1 · E12
Oct 4, 2025
32:13
The One Skill That Will Decide Which Leaders Rise in the Next 5 Years — with Dan Palmer
What will define the executives of the future? In this episode of Change That Works, host Alexandra Popescu-Zorica speaks with Dan Palmer about why innovation management — not just efficiency — will set tomorrow’s leaders apart. Through the story of John and Alex, we’ll explore how corporate culture, education, and fear of failure often stifle creativity. We’ll also discover why nurturing small-scale experimentation is just as vital as chasing disruptive breakthroughs. Tune in to learn how leaders can balance short-term performance with long-term innovation and build organizations ready for the future. If you have any questions for Alexandra or Dan or are interested in collaborating reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com
S1 · E11
Sep 2, 2025
34:49
Leadership is a Marathon, but let’s sprint
I’d love to—but there’s just no time. We’ve all heard this phrase. In fast-paced, high-pressure environments, personal growth is often treated as a luxury—when in fact, it’s essential. In this episode of Change That Works, host Carola Gasser-Trinkl talks with Kurt Mayer, consultant and Managing Partner at ICG Austria, about how to embed leadership development into the everyday reality of busy professionals. You’ll hear about the leadership sprint — a focused, pragmatic format that bridges the gap between knowing and doing. Learn how small behavioral hacks, peer learning, and structured support systems can drive lasting change, shape organizational culture, and strengthen resilience in uncertain times. If you’re struggling to find space for reflection and growth—or helping others do so—this episode is full of practical ideas, fresh perspectives, and real-world success stories. If you have any questions for Carola or Kurt or are interested in collaborating, reach out via changethatworks@icg.eu.com
S1 · E10
Jun 30, 2025
28:24
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