Ashley Gatewood is a seasoned organizational change management (OCM) expert with over 13 years of experience navigating companies through complex transformations. Recognized for her ability to bridge the gap between strategy and execution, she has a proven track record of success in driving user adoption for ERP implementations, enhancing organizational effectiveness, fostering positive company cultures, and advising executives on how to lead change. Ashley brings this expertise to her current role as Head of Global Change & Transformation Strategy at Google.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with CXO Outlook Magazine, Ashley shared her professional trajectory, insights on diversity and inclusion, the secret mantra behind her success, her favorite quote, future plans, pearls of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Ashley. What sparked your interest in change management and transformation?
While at Georgetown, I majored in both Marketing and Operations and Information Management. Through learning about both topics, I found a love for the intersection of human behavior and technology. I was able to apply this to my work as a consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton and Deloitte Consulting and began specializing in methodologies to help people adopt technology applications and systems.
What do you love the most about your current role?
I’ve spent a lot of time in my career focused on the infrastructure and technology required to make business transformation successful. In my current role, I love that I get to now focus on the people-related aspects of change, not just the processes and systems. With AI driving rapid disruption across most industries, it is increasingly important to help people understand and navigate these transitions. I am very passionate about partnering with senior leaders to drive strategies that keep people top-of-mind throughout transformation initiatives.
What emerging trends or innovations will shape the future of change management?
Recently, I’ve seen momentum on how to bring user experience (UX) and user-centered design (UCD) to the forefront of change management. UCD pushes project teams to better understand and prioritize the needs, desires, and pain points of stakeholders as they experience processes and systems. By leveraging UCD to create a solution that meets users’ needs, change management can drive a smoother transition and adoption of that solution. Through the combination of these two disciplines, organizations can increase the likelihood of successful implementation and achieving desired outcomes. I am really excited to see more developments in the future.
What impact do you believe increased diversity and inclusion would have on innovation, creativity, and progress in your industry?
Diversity is a strategic advantage for any business. Diverse teams bring a wider range of perspectives, experiences, and problem-solving approaches. This will lead to more creative solutions, better products, and a greater ability to meet the needs of a diverse user base. When people from different backgrounds collaborate, they challenge each other’s assumptions, identify blind spots, and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
However, it is not enough to have a diverse workforce. I believe that organizations need to be striving towards Belonging. When people feel accepted, valued, and included as a member of a team or organization, they feel safe and that is when they bring their best ideas forward. Belonging fuels innovation, drives creativity, and accelerates progress, leading to better outcomes for everyone.
You were recently recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Raleigh for 2024. Our readers would love to know the secret mantra behind your success.
Perseverance is the primary driver of my success. I set ambitious goals for myself, and I am deeply committed to achieving them, even when I’m faced with setbacks. I am no stranger to failure. However, I’ve learned that I’m resilient and can move forward in the midst of adversity. For example, Lebron James broke Kobe Bryant’s record for most missed shots in the NBA. That’s one way to look at it. On the other hand, Lebron has also scored more points than anyone else in the history of the NBA. The lesson here is that your failures don’t define you or limit the heights your career can reach. I don’t let fear of failure stop me. I learn from the wins and the losses and move forward with the knowledge to make me better.
What leadership qualities and skills do you believe are essential for driving growth and transformation?
To drive growth and transformation, leaders need to have vision beyond what is currently possible; they must imagine an inspiring future and articulate it in clear, resonant ways. Their strategic thinking should span the ability to assess the current state, identify opportunities, and develop strategies that their teams can feasibly operationalize. Lastly, the most effective transformation leaders empower their talent to take ownership of implementing transformation initiatives. They trust their teams but remain involved by actively coaching and removing roadblocks to success.
How do you keep your mind healthy and stay resilient?
Self-awareness is the key to mental health and resilience. I’ve learned that understanding who I am and what I need is critical. Fortunately, I came of age as a leader during the popularity of Susan Cain’s “Quiet” which ushered in an era of accepting introverted leaders. I realized that it was possible to succeed as an introvert; this allowed me to embrace a leadership style and workplace boundaries that were not previously accepted.
I also pay close attention to how my attention and energy shifts during different parts of the day, then optimize as much as possible for my natural rhythms of work cycles. For example, I do my best writing and strategy work in the morning when my mind is fresh. I try not to schedule meetings before 10am in order to give myself the space to think. I dedicate my afternoons to team meetings and collaboration sessions instead. And after leading or experiencing large, impactful changes, I take time off from work to recharge and reset mentally.
How do you motivate your team?
The most important ways that I motivate my team are by listening to what they need and building genuine connections with them. I create space to understand who they are and flex my leadership style to meet them where they need support. We discuss their passions, career goals, and development areas; we monitor progress and adjust plans throughout the year. We also collaborate to optimize their schedules to when and how they produce work most effectively, just like I do for myself. We are in this together; I extend to them the same respect and leadership that I would want to receive.
What is your favorite quote?
I don’t necessarily have a favorite quote, but I do have a favorite motivational speech. In the movie, Any Given Sunday, Al Pacino’s character (Coach Tony D’amato) delivers a speech to his football players about how “life is a game of inches… and the inches we need are everywhere around us” in order to motivate them to overcome the challenges that they were facing on the field. What always resonated with me was his passion and sense of urgency to take action in order to achieve your goals.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
AI is not going anywhere, and businesses are figuring out how to evolve with this technology. So, I believe I will still be partnering with senior leaders to understand how they can more effectively plan and execute transformation initiatives. I also hope that I can continue to contribute towards the advancement of thought leadership and education about change management across industries.
What advice would you give aspiring change leaders?
Take time to learn the foundational methodologies but focus on gaining hands-on experience with planning and implementing change management initiatives. The most effective change leaders do not force change management frameworks on organizations. Instead, they understand the underlying principles then adapt their change strategies to the organizational culture to drive meaningful business outcomes.