Episode 70: Reinventing Yourself: Embracing Change to Thrive in 2025 in Better Understanding Podcast with Susan MacKenty Brady by Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

Reinventing the Way We Work, Lead, and Adapt

In this powerful episode of the Better Understanding Podcast, Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva shares her extraordinary journey—from growing up in the post-Soviet collapse to founding Reinvention Academy and working with leaders at Harvard, L’Oréal, and the Gates Foundation.

She explains why we’ve passed the moment of prevention—and how reinvention is the only viable path forward for companies, leaders, and societies. You’ll hear why our tools for strategy, budgeting, and leadership are dangerously outdated—and what new mindsets and methods must replace them.

Whether you're leading a team, running a business, or preparing for the next wave of disruption, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to lead with clarity, confidence, and resilience in a world of permanent volatility.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll learn why today’s leadership tools are built for a world that no longer exists—and what it takes to lead when change is constant. Dr. Nadya explains how to rebuild confidence and competence inside your team, why quick wins matter more than long retreats, and how outdated systems like just-in-time and fixed budgeting are holding companies back.
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You’ll also hear why reinvention is a universal skill—whether you're redesigning supply chains, managing teenagers, or rethinking your career—and how to get started with the simplest but most powerful question: When did we feel most alive?

Who This Is For

• Leaders, managers, and decision-makers facing constant change
• Entrepreneurs and consultants building post-crisis business models
• HR, L&D, and operations professionals seeking practical reinvention tools
• Higher ed faculty and professionals designing education for the 21st century
• Anyone ready to rethink how we work, lead, and adapt in uncertain times

3 Key Takeaways from This Episode

1. We’ve passed the point of prevention

Climate, economic, and social disruptions are here to stay. The only option left is proactive adaptation—and that requires a reinvention skillset.

2. Old systems won’t save you

Budgeting, strategy, and leadership tools built for a stable world are now liabilities. Just-in-time, fixed planning, and rigid roles must be replaced with tools that flex and bend without breaking.

3. Reinvention starts with life

The fastest path to reinvention is reconnecting with energy. Ask: When did you or your team feel most alive? That’s where to begin. Then build rhythm, tools, and skills from there

Resources Mentioned

• Simmons Leadership Conference
• Reinvention Academy
• Dr. Nadya’s article in Harvard Business Review on psychological contracts
• Examples referenced: Puma’s Clever Little Bag, Floow2, MUD Jeans, Harvard MBA unemployment rates