Leading Through Change, Part 1: The Human Side of Change with Criss Moody

Change is one of the few guarantees in leadership, especially in the military. Policies shift, teams rotate, and missions evolve. But behind every new directive or process, there are people, humans with emotions, histories, and identities tied to the way things have always been.

In this week’s episode of the Leading With Heart podcast, I sit down with Criss Moody, Air Force officer turned small business owner and leadership researcher, to explore what it truly means to lead through change. Drawing from her master’s research on leadership and change management, Criss reminds us that effective change begins and ends with people.

Managing vs. Leading Change

Many leaders are exceptional at managing logistics, creating checklists, timelines, and deliverables to implement change. But leading change requires something deeper. It’s about inspiring belief, building trust, and fostering a sense of shared purpose.

Criss shares that the most successful change efforts have both structure and heart. One leader drives the vision and emotional engagement, while another ensures the operational pieces stay on track. When those two forces work together, change becomes more than compliance, it becomes commitment.

Why the Human Side Matters

It’s easy to underestimate how deeply people feel about change, even something as simple as a new uniform or policy. These shifts often touch identity, routine, and belonging. When leaders focus only on tasks and forget the human element, resistance grows. But when they take time to listen, explain the “why,” and validate emotion, they earn buy-in that lasts far beyond the rollout.

Leadership Styles in Change

From transformational and servant leadership to autocratic and transactional, Criss breaks down when each approach can be useful. The takeaway? Every style is a tool. The key is knowing when to use it. Emergencies may call for decisiveness; long-term transformation calls for empathy and adaptability.

Change will always be messy. But when we slow down, stay adaptable, and keep people at the center, we transform resistance into resilience.

Listen to Part 1 of “Leading Through Change” on the Leading With Heart podcast, and join us next week for Part 2 as we dive into psychological safety, empathy, and the leadership superpowers that make change sustainable.

RESOURCES:

Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.

Bridges, W., & Bridges, S. (2016). Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change

(4th ed.). Da Capo Lifelong Books.

Criss Moody Research Paper:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b-tAmIMdUaU8g9v_FZT310Eoh4drDVlL/view?usp=sharing

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SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode83