Episode 7: Reinventing The Workplace with Dr Nadya Zhexembayeva & Aidan McCullen in Where Others Won't Podcast by Cody Royle

How to Lead When Everyone Is Frozen

In this energizing panel-style episode of Where Others Won’t, Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva joins host Cody Royle and transformation expert Aidan McCullen for a high-stakes conversation on reinventing the workplace. From leadership mindsets to navigating corporate paralysis, this discussion dives deep into why many organizations crash into disruption — and how to shift course before it's too late

Dr. Nadya unpacks the Titanic Syndrome mindset and how even top-performing teams cling to past successes instead of preparing for what’s next. She shares lessons from research, consulting, and building a reinvention curriculum adopted by leading universities — all with one goal: helping people and companies survive and thrive in a world of constant change.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll learn why businesses and individuals often resist change even when they see disruption ahead, and how best practices can become dangerous when applied in fast-moving environments. Nadya and the panel reveal the cultural and psychological reasons teams freeze in the face of transformation, and how leaders can shift from fear to action. You’ll also hear why education must evolve to teach reinvention as a survival skill — and what it really takes to future-proof your strategy, culture, and mindset.

Who This Is For

• Leaders navigating rapid industry change
• Consultants and facilitators driving transformation
• Educators and trainers rethinking learning for the future
• Team builders and change-makers inside legacy organizations
• Anyone feeling stuck, slow, or left behind in today’s workplace

3 Key Takeaways from This Episode

1. Reinvention Isn’t Optional — It’s Urgent

In today’s world, nearly half of all organizations need to reinvent every 1–3 years just to stay relevant. Waiting for a crisis before acting — like Titanic did — is a recipe for disaster.

2. Best Practices Can Be Your Biggest Risk

What worked yesterday might sink you today. Nadya explains how over-relying on past success blinds leaders to new realities and prevents creative problem-solving — even when the warning signs are clear.

3. Reinvention Starts with Personal Ownership

Real transformation happens when individuals take responsibility. Whether you’re a CEO or just starting out, adopting a Chief Reinvention Officer mindset — for your role, your team, or your life — is the first step to building sustainable change.

Resources Mentioned

• The Titanic Syndrome book and research by Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva - now the Chief Reinvention Officer Handbook
• Chief Reinvention Officer website: www.chiefreinventionofficer.com
• Aidan McCullen’s podcast: The Innovation Show
• Panel host Cody Royle’s book Where Others Won’t
• Metaphor: Functional fixedness and the iceberg as opportunity - more in the ted talk