Change Doesn't Fail, We Design It Poorly | Ashley Jablow

Why do organizational changes fail, and how can we design work that fuels us? In this episode, Ashley Jablow shares how intentional human-centric design elevates Workplace Mental Health, transforms Workplace culture, and boosts overall workplace well-being.We often blame employees or company culture when transitions fall flat. But the truth is much simpler: change doesn't fail—we design it poorly. Today on Happy@Work, I am sitting down with Ashley Jablow — founder of Wayfinders Collective and Life Design School, author, former Presidential Innovation Fellow at the White House, and ex-IDEO leader. Ashley brings her deep background in innovation, creativity, and practical change to show leaders how to guide their teams through complex transitions with clarity, courage, and care. We dive into how designing clear career strategies drives Happiness, strengthens talent acquisition, and builds resilient, adaptive organizations. Whether you are an executive leading a major corporate transition, an HR strategist looking to elevate employee retention, or a professional redesigning your career, Ashley's actionable strategies will help you navigate what's next. Connect with Ashley Jablow:• Website: https://www.wayfinderscollective.com/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjablow/Timecodes: 00:00 Welcome to Happy at Work00:31 Ashley’s path into design thinking02:25 Empathy as the foundation of people-centered design03:02 Bringing empathy into hiring, leadership, and organizational change04:49 The business impact: retention and employee advocacy07:06 Designing for diverse, global teams10:38 Questions leaders can ask to better understand their people14:11 Staying open when employee feedback challenges assumptions18:43 Common mistakes in workplace design thinking20:26 “Go slow to go fast” in leadership22:22 Leading as a whole person24:28 Closing thoughts and thank youSubscribe to Happy@Work for more episodes on modern leadership, organizational performance, and human-centric workplace culture.#WorkplaceMentalHealth #WorkplaceCulture #WorkplaceWellbeing #Happiness #TalentAcquisition #LeaderSkills #Leadership #EmployeeRetention #EmployeeEngagement #HappyAtWork