Make Waves: Be the One to Start Change at Work and in Life

Make Waves encourages readers to step up and be the one to initiate change in their work and lives. Author Patti Johnson walks readers through the tools and techniques that they can use to create change in their own situations. Johnson elaborates on these tools even further to give readers a sense of how to encourage and instill these “wave-making” behaviors in others within their organization. Using several diverse case studies as illustrative examples, Make Waves highlights the important steps that individuals at any level can take toward positive change. By reinforcing readers’ desires to contribute and make a difference, Johnson connects on an individual level and bridges the gap between that desire and the actions necessary to realize bigger changes.

Change can be big or small. It is the act of stepping up that Johnson embraces, as well as the ripple effect on those around. Interviews with famous Wave Makers, as well as everyday people, illustrate why it is important to be the one to start change.

About the Author

Patti Johnson is the CEO of PeopleResults, a change and organizational development consultancy. She has advised and partnered with many Fortune 500 executives and professionals on leading change across all business situations and industries. She and her team have also worked closely with start-ups and non-profits. PeopleResults clients include organizations such as: PepsiCo, Microsoft, Frito-Lay, Hitachi Consulting, McKesson, Mars, 7-Eleven, Accenture, and many others.

Johnson was previously a Senior Executive at Accenture and the CHRO of Accenture HR Services. She played an essential role in creating new change service offerings and provided expertise on complex changes with numerous clients. She is now an instructor at the SMU Cox School of Business on Leading Change for Executive Education and a frequent speaker at conferences. She is also an Executive Coach and works with leaders one-on-one to develop their individual leadership and change capabilities. At SUCCESS magazine, she is an Expert panel member and featured blogger. She has been featured as an expert for media including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, NBC.com, Today Money, Working Mother Magazine, Yahoo Finance, The Society for Human Resources Management, HR Executive Magazine and many others.