Lessons Not Yet Learnt

LessonsNotYetLearnt

Hosted by Kiran Kachela, CEO & Founder of CI Projects Lessons Not Yet Learnt is the podcast that uncovers the costly mistakes we keep making, and how to finally move past them. Through powerful storytelling and cross-industry insights, each episode explores the intersection between people, processes, and technology in business. With candid conversations and expert perspectives, Kiran is on a mission to challenge outdated thinking, highlight overlooked lessons, and drive meaningful change—one story at a time.

  1. Aug 6

    The AI Mirror: The Dotcom Bubble's Second Act

    Episode Description Are organisations repeating the same mistakes they madeduring the dotcom boom? In this episode of Lessons Not Yet Learnt, host Kiran Kachela and Marcus Robbins explore why many organisations are approaching AI as if it were a traditional IT project, despite decades of lessons from digital transformation initiatives. AI may be the latest technological wave, but the challenges holding organisations back remain strikingly familiar: unclear goals, weak organisational learning, poor data foundations, and a focus on technology over value creation. Together, they unpack why AI is more than a technology programme, how old transformation habits are slowing progress, and what leaders should do differently to turn AI ambition into genuine business value. In this episode, we cover: · Why many organisations are treating AI like the dotcom era's race to get online, repeating familiar transformation mistakes · Why AI transformation should be viewed as an enterprise-wide transformation, not simply a technology implementation · The cultural change required for successful AI adoption and why technology alone is not enough · How organisations are aiming for large-scale AI outcomes before building the foundations needed for success · The importance of organisational learning and capability building in AI programmes · Why decades-old data challenges, including quality, consistency, governance and the "single customer view", continue to undermine transformation efforts · How AI amplifies existing data problems and can turn them into enterprise-wide risks · The impact of ROI anxiety, governance concerns, and a lack of suitable evaluation frameworks on AI progress · Why isolated pockets of AI excellence are not enough without broader organisational capability · A practical perspective on where AI should create value: making work better, doing work differently, and enabling entirely new forms of work. About Our Guest  Marcus Robbins - Founder and CEO of Everything Adaptive. A consultant, thought leader, author, and public speakerwith three decades of experience, Marcus is renowned for his ability to communicate complex topics and drive innovation. He is committed to empowering organisations to navigate change and achieve sustainable competitive advantage. As a dynamic disruptor and innovator with deep expertise in strategy and organisational culture, Marcus excels at driving transformation, developing new perspectives, building compelling value propositions, establishing leading consulting practices, and delivering breakthrough performance. Over the course of his career, including key leadership roles at Fujitsu, Microsoft, and Capgemini, Marcus has challenged convention, nurtured new behaviours, and driven and inspired breakthrough performance. Follow us on:  Instagram @Lessonsnotyetlearnt  TikTok @Lessonsnotyetlearnt  YouTube @Lessonsnotyetlearnt    Want to get involved?  To ask Kiran a question, be a guest, or sponsor an episode, visit our website: www.lessonsnotyetlearnt.com.

  2. Jul 16 ·  Bonus

    The Three Levels of Resistance (And What They're Really Telling You)

    Why do people resist change? And more importantly, are they really resisting the change itself? In this bonus episode of Lessons Not Yet Learnt, host Kiran Kachela explores one of the most misunderstood aspects of leadership and transformation: resistance. Building on a recent conversation about change management, Kiran challenges leaders to stop viewing resistance as an obstacle and start seeing it as feedback. Using the Rick Maurer framework, she breaks resistance down into three distinct levels: "I don't understand it", "I don't like it", and "I don't trust you". Each level requires a different leadership response, and understanding the difference can be the key to gaining buy-in, building trust, and creating sustainable change. This episode is a practical reflection on why change is ultimately about people, not processes, and why successful leaders learn to understand the emotions, perceptions and behaviours that sit behind resistance. In this episode, we cover: · Why resistance should be viewed as feedback rather than opposition · The three levels of resistance and what each one reveals about people's concerns · Why "I don't understand it" is often the easiest form of resistance to overcome · How emotions drive the "I don't like it" response to change · Why trust is the hardest barrier to rebuild during transformation · How resistance changes throughout the start-up, implementation and anchoring phases of change · The role communication, engagement and practical interventions play in supporting adoption · Why effective change management requires an understanding of behaviour, personality and perception. Follow us on: Instagram @Lessonsnotyetlearnt TikTok @Lessonsnotyetlearnt YouTube @Lessonsnotyetlearnt To ask Kiran anything, be a guest, or sponsor an episode, visit our website: www.lessonsnotyetlearnt.com

  3. Jun 25

    Resisting “Resistance”: Why Leaders Keep Misreading the Room

    What if the people you’re labelling as “resistant” areactually trying to save your project? In this episode of Lessons Not Yet Learnt, host KiranKachela is joined by change management expert Ket Patel to unpack one of the most misunderstood dynamics in transformation: resistance. Through real-world examples and honest reflection, they challenge the idea that resistance is a problem to eliminate - revealing instead how it can act as a critical source of insight, risk visibility, and ultimately, better decision-making. From mislabelled “blockers” to overlooked feedback loops, this episode explores why leaders often resist resistance and the cost of getting it wrong. This isn’t about slowing down change. It’s about making sure it actually works.   In this episode, we cover: · Why “resistance” is often mislabelled feedback and what happens when it’s ignored · How overlooking frontline insight can lead to costly failure and missed risks · The role of human behaviour in change and why it’s not “soft and fluffy” but valuable data · Why leaders mistake communication for true change management · The danger of avoiding uncomfortable conversations and how it impacts adoption · How reframing resistance as insight can improve outcomes, engagement, and decision-making · The responsibility of leaders and teams to create space for honest, open dialogue   About Our Guest Ket Patel - Change Management Practitioner & Coach. Ket Patel is a seasoned change practitioner with over 20years of experience leading the people side of transformation across global organisations, including EY and Morgan Stanley. Now running his own consultancy, Ket helps organisationsreframe how they approach change - shifting the focus from rigid processes and timelines to human behaviour, insight, and real-world outcomes. His work centres on making change management more practical, accessible, and outcome-driven - helping leaders move beyond labels like “resistance” and instead engage with what’s really happening beneath the surface.   Follow us on: Instagram @Lessonsnotyetlearnt TikTok @Lessonsnotyetlearnt YouTube @Lessonsnotyetlearnt   Want to get involved? To ask Kiran a question, be a guest, or sponsor an episode,visit our website: www.lessonsnotyetlearnt.com

  4. May 21

    Staying Small Comes at a Cost: What It Really Takes to Scale Your Impact

    What happens when staying small starts costing you more than taking the risk to grow? In this episode of Lessons Not Yet Learnt, host Kiran Kachela is joined by Jenny Garrett, a coach and founder with over 20 years’ experience, to explore the hidden costs of holding back - personally, professionally and commercially. Jenny shares her journey from senior corporate marketing roles to building a values‑led coaching business, reflecting on moments when fear, caution, and a desire for control kept her playing smaller than she needed to. Together, they unpack why so many leaders, women in particular, wait too long to build teams, step into visibility, and fully own their potential. This episode goes beyond inspiration, diving into the mindset shifts, commercial realities and leadership decisions required to scale impact without burning out or losing purpose. In this episode, we cover: · How staying solo limits your impact, income and capacity · Balancing meaningful, values‑led work with commercial confidence, especially in coaching and purpose‑driven careers · Jenny’s transition from marketing director to founder · Why visibility is not optional in business, and how not being heard leaves value and revenue on the table. · The shift from solopreneur to business owner, and how Jenny built a sustainable business without drifting from her purpose. · Why coaching, clarity and community are essential for growth - and how leaders can scale without burning out. This episode is sponsored by Rocking Ur Teens.   About Our Guest Jenny Garrett – Founder and CEO of Jenny Garrett Global, and Co-Founder of Rocking Ur Teens. Jenny is a coach and business founder with over two decades of experience working across corporate leadership and purpose‑driven entrepreneurship. After leaving senior marketing roles, she spent 20 years building a coaching business grounded in values, impact and human‑centredleadership. Through her work, Jenny supports leaders, particularly women, to step out of self‑limiting patterns, build commercially sustainable businesses, and grow with intention rather than exhaustion. Her approach blends strategic clarity with deep insight into the mindset barriers that quietly hold people back from scaling their true impact. Learn more about Jenny’s work: · https://jennygarrett.global/ · https://rockingurteens.com/ Follow us on: Instagram @Lessonsnotyetlearnt TikTok @Lessonsnotyetlearnt YouTube @Lessonsnotyetlearnt Want to get involved? To ask Kiran a question, be a guest, sponsor an episode, visitour website: www.lessonsnotyetlearnt.com

  5. Apr 23

    Self-Promotion Without the Ick: What’s Holding You Back

    Why does talking about what we do feel so uncomfortable, and what is it really costing us? In this episode of Lessons Not Yet Learnt, host Kiran Kachela is joined by leading voice coach and author Susie Ashfield to unpack the “ick” so many leaders feel when it comes to self‑promotion, public speaking and visibility. From downplaying job titles to avoiding the spotlight altogether, Kiran reflects on her own journey with self‑advocacy - and the realisation that staying quiet doesn’t just limit leaders, it sets a ceiling for their teams and future generations. Drawing on her work with senior leaders across industries, Susie explores why cultural conditioning, imposter syndrome and perfectionism hold people back - and how shifting the focus from “me” to “them” transforms confidence, clarity and impact. Together, they challenge the myth that self‑promotion equals ego and show how storytelling, practice and purpose can help leaders speak up - without losing authenticity.   In this episode, we cover: ·      Self‑promotion without the “ick” ·      The English problem ·      From cringe to confidence ·      The opportunity cost of staying quiet ·      Storytelling over self‑selling ·      Voice, visibility and vulnerability   About Our GuestSusie Ashfield - Voice Coach, Speaker, Author & Founder of Speak2Impact Susie Ashfield is one of the UK’s leading voice coaches and the founder of Speak2Impact, a communication and public‑speaking company that helps leaders, founders and teams share their ideas with clarity, confidence and impact. Trained as an actor, Susie brings a deep understanding of audience psychology, storytelling and performance to herwork. Through Speak2Impact, she delivers one‑to‑one coaching, group workshops, keynote talks and an online academy - helping people move from being unclear or uncomfortable to sounding credible, authentic andcompelling when it matters most. Over the past decade, Susie has worked with senior leaders and organisations across the public and private sectors, and has been featured on platforms including BBC Radio 2, Forbes and international media. She is also the author of Just F*cking Say It, a practical and humorous guide to speaking with confidence in any situation. Learn more about Susie’s work atSpeak2Impact: https://academy.susieashfield.com/     Follow us on: Instagram @Lessonsnotyetlearnt TikTok @Lessonsnotyetlearnt YouTube @Lessonsnotyetlearnt

  6. Apr 9 ·  Bonus

    The Five Decisions That Define a Leader

    What really defines leadership when there’s no audience, noapplause, and no one else to share the accountability? In this bonus episode of Lessons Not Yet Learnt, host Kiran Kachela reflects on the unseen side of leadership - the difficult decisions made behind closed doors that quietly shape culture, standards, and outcomes. Drawing on her experience as CEO and founder of CI Projects,Kiran challenges the idea that leadership is about vision statements and bold speeches. Instead, she explores five critical decisions that define leaders every day: who we hire, who we let go, the boundaries we set, what we say noto, and how we spend our time. This episode is a candid reflection on accountability,courage, and the weight of leadership - and a reminder that the real work of leadership often happens when no one is watching.   In this episode, we cover: ·  Why leadership isn’t about visibility or charisma ·  The loneliness of decision‑making when “the buck stops with you” · How hiring choices reveal leadership confidence and values · Why leaders are defined by what they tolerate · The danger of weak boundaries and “good enough” standards · How low standards quietly become cultural norms · Why time is the most valuable - and misused - leadership resource · What the real work of leadership looks like day to day Follow us on: Instagram @LessonsnotyetlearntTikTok @LessonsnotyetlearntYouTube @Lessonsnotyetlearnt   To ask Kiran anything, be a guest, sponsor an episode, or chat press? Visit our website: www.lessonsnotyetlearnt.com

About

Hosted by Kiran Kachela, CEO & Founder of CI Projects Lessons Not Yet Learnt is the podcast that uncovers the costly mistakes we keep making, and how to finally move past them. Through powerful storytelling and cross-industry insights, each episode explores the intersection between people, processes, and technology in business. With candid conversations and expert perspectives, Kiran is on a mission to challenge outdated thinking, highlight overlooked lessons, and drive meaningful change—one story at a time.