Thriving in the Middle Seat
The “middle seat” in change work—too senior for pure execution, too junior for strategy—can feel invisible and exhausting. But with the right framing, it’s one of the most valuable vantage points in the organization.
Dan Olson
Change leader, coach, and writer. Former Inc. 500/5000 founder. I help practitioners make change practical, human, and sustainable.
How Fractional and Freelance Pros Stay Sane in the Chaos
Whether you're a fractional freelancer or embedded in one complex org, staying organized isn’t optional—it’s survival. This article introduces a simple system to help you manage email, files, and notes inside your client’s environment—so you can stay sharp, reliable, and sane.
What to Do When You're the Whole Change Department
When you’re the only change lead on a major initiative, success isn’t about doing it all—it’s about scaling what matters.
What Freelancers Know That In-House Change Teams Don’t
What freelancers get right about change work, and what in-house teams can steal. Lessons from the edge of the org chart.
Nothing Travels Faster Than Gossip in a Reorg
In every organization, there are two communication plans: the one you draft... and the one whispered over coffee before the deck even loads. Guess which one works faster.
The Open Secret of Change Management: It’s Mostly Politics
Change doesn’t fail because of frameworks. It fails when you ignore power, politics, and the people who decide what moves forward.
Moreover Issue #2: Signals, Skeletons, and the Systems We Still Ignore
What does it mean to lead change with no team, no budget, and no backup? This issue dives into skeleton crew change work, why it’s more common than it should be, and how to survive it. Plus: AI’s true costs, predictive analytics, and credibility in action.
Listening Tours: A Strategic Approach to Understanding Your Organization
Listening Tours are more than just conversations - they are a strategic tool for building trust, understanding your audience, and designing change initiatives that truly resonate.
Stakeholders Have Opinions
Buy-in is a beautiful concept. So is Bigfoot. You’ll hear stories, but rarely see proof. Everything was going according to plan until the stakeholders saw the plan. Then it turned into group therapy with office chairs.
Setting Your Rates: How To Price Your Change Management Services
Your change management skills are valuable - but are you charging what they’re worth? Learn how to set your rates with confidence, from hourly pricing to value-based consulting.
Turn Your Team or Slack Channel Into A Learning Lab with ChangeGuild
Turn your Slack or Teams channel into a learning lab. Here’s how to use ChangeGuild content as conversation starters for real-time team engagement.
Moreover Issue #1: Capability, Power, and the Systems We Ignore
Explore the hidden costs of treating change management as overhead, the environmental impact of AI expansion, and how practitioners can lead through shifting systems. This issue features deep dives, ethical insights, and practical guidance for building real capability.
The Change Curve Is Not Enough: Stop Teaching Grief to Executives
Executives don’t need grief models - they need strategy. Learn how to reframe change conversations around adoption risk, alignment, and measurable impact.
The Triple C Value Proposition: Content, Coaching, and Consulting
ChangeGuild’s Triple C Value Prop—Content, Coaching, and Consulting—delivers real-world support for practitioners driving change where it matters most.
From Change Practitioner to Chief of Staff: A Natural Evolution of Influence
For seasoned change practitioners, the Chief of Staff role is a natural next step. Explore how your skills in strategy, influence, and emotional intelligence can position you as a key advisor to senior leadership.
Change Management as a Service: The Future of On-Demand Expertise
In a world where change is constant, Change Management as a Service (CMaaS) offers a flexible, scalable solution for organizations that need expert guidance without the commitment of full-time hires.