Celso Sawaia spent 12 years as a micromanaging CEO before learning the difference between being a boss and being a leader. After nearly 20 years with the United Nations implementing enterprise architecture and PMO offices, he discovered that technical excellence means nothing if you can't navigate the human side of change. Now teaching future leaders and running his own consultancy, Celso reveals why most transformation initiatives fail—and it has nothing to do with your framework or methodology.
In this episode, Celso shares the specific turning point in September 2016 that completely transformed his leadership approach, why active listening and empathy matter more than any certification, and what leaders need to develop now before AI makes technical skills obsolete. From building Brazil's fourth internet provider to advising UN agencies globally, his hard-won lessons cut through typical change management advice to reveal what actually works when implementing organizational change.
What we cover:
Real transformation fails because of people problems, not technical ones. Celso discusses:

Why his PMO and enterprise architecture implementations met massive resistance despite being technically sound
The critical difference between being obeyed versus being followed
How to build diverse teams that fill your leadership gaps instead of trying to be good at everything
Why soft skills will become your only competitive advantage as AI handles technical work
The specific communication and empathy practices that turn resistance into buy-in

You'll relate to this episode if you:

Are leading digital transformation, process changes, or organisational restructuring
Feel frustrated when technically solid initiatives meet unexpected resistance
Want to understand why change management is fundamentally about people, not systems
Are preparing for a future where AI handles execution and humans provide critical thinking
Recognise you might be a boss when you need to become a leader

You know that leadership requires bringing people along the journey, not just implementing the right processes—and you're ready to develop the skills that matter.

Connect with Celso Sawaia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjsawaia

Shift Happens is the go-to podcast for leaders navigating the complexities of organisational change. Host Kamila Adamatti brings her extensive experience in change management to conversations with executives who share real stories, valuable lessons, and practical strategies for leading transformation.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like it, subscribe, and share it with a leader who needs to hear this message.

Connect with Kamila Adamatti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamila-adamatti
Visit the Shift Happens website: https://shifthappensthepodcast.com/
Tone Up Business Consulting: https://toneupbusiness.com/
We hope you enjoyed this episode of the Shift Happens Podcast.

Like, comment, and subscribe to never miss an episode!

Connect with Kamila Adamatti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamila-adamatti/
Visit the Shift Happens website here: https://shifthappensthepodcast.com/

Listen to Shift Happens on these podcast platforms:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3FLkuYKoB8ultitr23MPj2
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-happens-podcast/id1814603417
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa0cf758-f9fb-4cda-9ed8-55e04ec6b51f

#podcast #shifthappens #leadingchange #decisionmakers #foroyu #newepisode #shifthappens #leadershippodcast #changemanagement #businessleadership #selfimprovement #strategicthinking #decisionmaking #bilingualpodcast #growthmindset #executivecoaching #communicationiskey #leadingchange #resilientleadership #transformationjourney #professionaldevelopment
Shift Happens, presented by Kamila Adamatti, is a global leadership podcast that explores how transformative leaders drive meaningful change in complex, fast-moving environments. With episodes in both English and Portuguese (subtitled in both languages), the show delivers practical insights on communication, resilience, team development, strategic decision-making, and personal growth. Whether you're leading a business, managing change, or navigating your own leadership journey, Shift Happens provides the tools, inspiration, and perspectives to help you lead with intention and impact.

Jennifer Jeronimo spent 20+ years climbing the ranks at Credit Suisse, Bear Stearns, and JP Morgan before becoming CEO of Gaingels Inc., where she now oversees 2,500+ portfolio companies and $900 million in network investments. But her biggest lessons didn't come from boardrooms or balance sheets. They came from spectacular failures, bank mergers, and learning when to shut up and listen.
In this conversation, Jennifer reveals why the Bear Stearns collapse became her career superpower, how she survived being the eager young manager who crashed a company-wide rollout, and what it really takes to implement change management in a startup that thinks bureaucracy is a four-letter word. She shares the harsh truth about moving from star performer to first-time manager, why listening five times isn't enough when leading transformation, and how putting your ego aside might be the only skill that actually matters.
Whether you're navigating organizational change, stepping into your first leadership role, or trying to bring structure to chaos without killing momentum, Jennifer's hard-won wisdom offers a masterclass in learning from failure, leading with humility, and building buy-in when the team thinks your ideas will never work.
Key discussion points:

Implementing change management at a fast-moving venture firm without creating bureaucracy
Lessons from surviving the Bear Stearns collapse and JP Morgan takeover
The costly mistake of ignoring your team's concerns as a new manager
Why communication needs to happen seven times, not just once
How to bring resistant team members along during major transformations
The AI challenge: automation vs. maintaining critical thinking skills
Leading through mergers by checking your ego at the door

Connect with Jennifer Jeronimo:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-jeronimo1
Gaingels Inc.

We hope you enjoyed this episode of the Shift Happens Podcast.

Like, comment, and subscribe to never miss an episode!

Connect with Kamila Adamatti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamila-adamatti/
Visit the Shift Happens website here: https://shifthappensthepodcast.com/

Listen to Shift Happens on these podcast platforms:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3FLkuYKoB8ultitr23MPj2
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-happens-podcast/id1814603417
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa0cf758-f9fb-4cda-9ed8-55e04ec6b51f

#podcast #shifthappens #leadingchange #decisionmakers #foroyu #newepisode #shifthappens #leadershippodcast #changemanagement #businessleadership #selfimprovement #strategicthinking #decisionmaking #bilingualpodcast #growthmindset #executivecoaching #communicationiskey #leadingchange #resilientleadership #transformationjourney #professionaldevelopment
Shift Happens, presented by Kamila Adamatti, is a global leadership podcast that explores how transformative leaders drive meaningful change in complex, fast-moving environments. With episodes in both English and Portuguese (subtitled in both languages), the show delivers practical insights on communication, resilience, team development, strategic decision-making, and personal growth. Whether you're leading a business, managing change, or navigating your own leadership journey, Shift Happens provides the tools, inspiration, and perspectives to help you lead with intention and impact.