Carla Rieger is an expert on the artistry of change. Carla Rieger uses proven secrets from the world of performing arts to help your organization becoming a leader of innovation. She has been a professional speaker, trainer, facilitator, comedy improvisor, and performance storyteller since the mid-80’s. Carla Rieger is the director of YES Education Systems, a creative communications and innovation consulting firm since 1991. She has written three critically acclaimed manuals, The Power of Laughter, Speaking on the Funny Side of the Brain and The Heart of Presenting, in addition to many articles in many trade journals and magazines.

She has taught thousands to unlock the funny side of their brains, and to mine negativity both within and without for the key to innovative solutions. Her work has been featured on radio, TV and in magazines. She founded several theatre groups including Mad Cow Productions, the Vancouver Playback Theatre troupe and Mythic Café from which she wrote, produced and performed a one-woman show, Dancing Between Worlds.

The Artistry of Change:
The Top 5 Skills of Amazingly Resilient People

"The ability to creatively handle constant change will be the most sought after skill in the 21st Century." - Alvin Toffler, Futurist

"Everyone is born an artist. The trick is to re-capture that innate ability as an adult and put it into all aspects of life." - Pablo Piccaso

•     Is never-ending change hard on you or your team?
•     Does resistance to change undermine good will in your organization?
•     Are you finding communication around change initiatives less than effective?

…then this program might be for you. The most indispensable people on the job these days are those who can reinvent, lead, innovate, and communicate while facing constant transitions. Most of us understand the common wisdom around change:

•     Embrace that which you cannot change.
•     Proactively respond to the things you can change.
•     Develop the wisdom to know the difference.

However, it’s another thing to practice this wisdom on a daily basis.

After 10 years of research we have identified the top 5 habits of people who actually practice this wisdom every day. We call these people “Change Artists”. The skills of a Change Artist don’t even need to be learned. They are innate skills that people just need to remember to access. These habits when applied to The Art of Reinvention Framework help you lead your organization more powerfully through transitions.

During this engaging and practical program your group will discover how to:

•     implement a practical framework for moving groups through transitions
•     benefit from the continual transitions that are affecting your workplace and those you serve
•     customize this framework for your organizational setting
•     create a culture of reinvention whereby your organization stays as relevant as possible

The Artistry of Change® is a powerful framework that blends diverse fields such as educational kinesiology, western and eastern psychology, change management theory, creative process models, and neuroscience. Witness how these fields are merging in exciting ways to produce the new 'organizational artistry'.

 
The Art of Reinvention:
For people in career or life transition

This program is most appropriate for individuals in transition who are reinventing:

•     an organizational role
•     a job or career
•     an identity
•     a business
•     a way they want to contribute to the world

According to the US Department of Labor the average person today changes their role in an organization at least 4 times, they careers at least 10 times in their life and primary relationships 3 times in their life. In addition, many of the careers and roles in society today didn't even exist 6 years ago.

In other words, people are reinventing themselves at a rate never before seen in recorded history … and its growing exponentially. Yet, few people have had a good role model for reinventing themselves over and over again with ease. Previous generations often stayed in the same career, same home, same relationship their entire adult lives. As a result, there exists a greater proportion of people feeling perpetually in transition and entirely challenged about how to deal with it.

In particular, there are cycles in everyone's life when it feels barren, like nothing is happening, like the great harvest you experienced before in your life will never happen again. This is the winter season of change, when the old identities have died away and the new one has yet to arrive. Despair, depression, sadness often come forward at this time. Because during this time a subterranean part of your psyche is replenishing itself and getting you ready for what's next. This is the time in your cycle of growth as a person when you need the most support.

During this experiential and inspiring program you will discover how to:

•     assess where you are now and where you want to go
•     identify your Reinvention Personality Style
•     develop a plan for getting unstuck
•     get clarity on what is truly the next stage of your life
•     take action on your next life purpose in a practical and sustainable way

Experience the joy of moving through transitions with ease and clarity.


The Change Artist:
Author reading and Q&A

The Change Artist is an award winning story of one woman's journey to find her voice in the face of corporate crime, family secrets, and racism. Inspired by the true story of a woman who discovered her father had changed his identity twice in his life, The Change Artist is a compelling suspense novel that provides a message of acceptance, growth and hope for the human condition. Written by innovation and change expert, Carla Rieger, The Change Artist takes you on a gripping and unpredictable adventure. From present day Vancouver to Nazi Germany of the past to a band of carnival entertainers, the Change Artist blends tools for finding your leadership voice with compelling storytelling. This presentation is a very personal and thought provoking voyage into the trials and errors of what it means to be a woman trying to lead with integrity in a world on the brink of massive change.


The Power of Laughter:
Managing Change with a Sense of Humor

"At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities." - Jean Houston

Is your working environment too serious? Has overwhelming change made the Grump-O-Meter go up? Constructive fun at work contributes to employee engagement, customer loyalty and improved productivity. It activates your ability to successfully navigate the white water of constant change. During this practical, entertaining and inspiring presentation, your group will discover how fun can:

•     build rapport
•     manage stress
•     improve innovative thinking
•     increase energy and productivity
•     enhance daily enjoyment of work
•     make your workplace more attractive to top employees

Experience the joy of laughing and playing together, a celebration of people and life.

 
The Art of Healthy Communication:
How to Turn Conflict into Constructive Resolutions

Conflict is like fire: too much causes damage to people and property; too little and no transformation can occur.

In today's global marketplace, costly communication breakdowns often happen because of simple misunderstandings, or stereotyping between generations and cultures. Discover 5 innovative tools and a powerful framework that impart an intention of goodwill and lead to an outcome that serves all those concerned. During this engaging and interactive session you will discover how to:

•     communicate your needs in a way that people are open to hearing
•     win back trust and goodwill
•     switch from a destructive argument to a "healthy disagreement"
•     practice habits that prevent unwanted communication breakdowns
•     prepare yourself in advance for optimal results
•     implement a 5 step easy-to-follow process for finding mutually satisfying solutions

Experience the joy of making open communication a part of your daily work life.


Taking Creative Risks:
How to Choose and Present Innovative Ideas to Decision Makers

Are you afraid of the people who roll their eyes or slam every new idea? If your workplace is 'change challenged' or addicted to franticness, it can be tricky to shift that.

Of course, all new ideas need what Edward DeBono calls “black hat thinking” or a discerning eye to make sure it makes sense. However, most people employ “black hat thinking” far too early in the process, leaving brilliant ideas on the cutting room floor. If you’ve ever tried to initiative a new approach to something and it failed, probably one of these mistakes happened. You were:

•     Not paying attention to intention
•     Starting with something too complicated or risky
•     Giving no prior warning or purpose for the idea
•     Being too vague or conceptual
•     Starting but not finishing
•     Giving up too quickly

During this interactive, energizing and fun program you will discover tips for preventing these problems from occurring, and ensuring the good ideas get a chance to make a difference in your organization.

 
How to Avoid the Top 4 Mistakes Change Leaders Make

"The ability to creatively handle constant change will be the most sought after skill in the 21st Century." - Alvin Toffler, Futurist

Looking at the common mistakes of change leaders is a great entry into this topic because people often only achieve success through its opposite--failure. With all the changes happening in the economy, the demographics and the industry, leaders and self starters who know how to:

•     see change coming before it pulls them under
•     re-strategize to meet changing needs
•     get buy in from their stakeholders
•     move through awkward transitions with strength and vision

are the ones who will thrive. This is a high energy, entertaining and practical program for anyone who wants to help their business, company, or organization stay resilient in a world of constant change.

The role of the leader in the age of the internet

Those who follow leaders no longer have blind faith in them because of the free flow of information. They can now see leaders making mistake and only want to follow those who learn from them, have integrity, and are committed to growing as a leader. As a result, organizations that are thriving in the new economy are based on leadership through earned trust rather than through assigned role.

People don't spontaneously just become a high integrity leader

It takes skill building over time and that starts with assessing the current situation (or mistakes) and redesigning leadership in terms of everyday success habits.

Leaders too often get chastised for making mistakes

Too often people enter leadership roles with no training and then get chastised for making mistakes. Good leadership thrives in an environment where you are allowed to make mistakes and then are encouraged to deconstruct them and create a new plan of action continually.

These top 4 mistakes are based on 21 years of surveying and working with change leaders and those affected by their decisions. Using the metaphor of the growing cycle, below are the top mistakes and the resulting success habits of effective change leaders:
Mistake    
1. Planting your idea in barren soil     
2. Planting the wrong kind of seed    
3. Lack of care and maintenance      
4. Letting it go to seed                       

Success Habit
1. Transforming resistance into buy in
2. Setting the right intention for the change
3. Assigning an on-going manager of the change
4. Celebrating and measuring successes

"We have heard only excellent feedback on your presentation, and everyone wants you back for next year's conference!"
Canadian Institute of Financial Planners

"Carla's keynote was enthusiastically received by every employee who attended our sales rallies across Canada. She not only entertained us with some much needed fun and laughter, she taught us how to create the change we want to see."
Rogers Video

"This was one of the most helpful and uplifting presentations I've ever experienced!"
Overwaitea Foods

"Our franchise owners juggle many roles at once and often have to deal with negative attitudes on the part of staff. Carla's program on managing change and dealing with challenging people really hit home with us."
Molly Maid