Change isn’t just about systems and processes—it’s deeply shaped by culture. In the Caribbean, where tradition, hierarchy, and informal networks influence organizational dynamics, cultural debt accumulates: outdated norms, inherited behaviors, and deep-rooted mindsets that slow down transformation. Much like technical debt in software, cultural debt builds up over time, making organizations less adaptable to change. While these cultural traits offer strengths—community, resilience, and identity—they can also become barriers when not consciously managed.
This session will explore how Caribbean organizations navigate change, shedding light on the hidden cultural obstacles that make transformation difficult—and the strategies that can make it work. Using case studies and a foresight-driven approach, we’ll unpack how tradition and agility can co-exist, and how leaders can refactor cultural debt to build future-ready, people-centered organizations. This talk is for leaders, change agents, and Agile practitioners looking to better understand the cultural dynamics of change—whether in the Caribbean or beyond.
• Understand how cultural norms like hierarchy, collectivism, and informal influence contribute to resistance to change.
• Learn how these cultural traits—while valuable—can become barriers when not consciously managed.
2. Assess and Address Cultural Debt in Organizations:
• Identify signs of cultural debt within teams and leadership structures.
• Apply frameworks to refactor outdated traditions and make space for innovation without losing cultural identity.
3. Use Foresight to Anticipate Cultural Resistance to Change:
• Learn how to forecast cultural challenges before they emerge.
• Use scenario planning and systems thinking to design people-centered, future-ready organizations.
4. Balance Tradition and Agility:
• Explore how organizations can preserve cultural strengths while adopting Agile methodologies.
• Learn change management strategies that respect cultural heritage while enabling faster, more effective transformation.
5. Apply a Systems-First, People-Centered Approach to Change:
• Take away practical tools for leading change in complex cultural environments.
• Develop a mindset that integrates cultural awareness, change leadership, and agility into a cohesive strategy.