MnCMN Change Summit - Clarity First: Solve the Right Problem

Description

Experienced change leaders know the first request for change is rarely the real problem. Yet under pressure to deliver, it’s easy to move straight into planning without fully validating what actually needs to be solved. In this interactive session, we’ll focus on putting clarity first - using targeted questions and reframing techniques to move beyond the initial request and uncover the real issue driving change. You’ll learn practical ways to engage stakeholders early, test assumptions, and create shared understanding without turning the effort into a long diagnostic process. This session strengthens your ability to solve the right problem and show up as a trusted, strategic change partner. Join us for a future-focused panel discussion exploring the capabilities organizations need to navigate the accelerating pace of transformation. Three leaders from strategy, leadership development, human performance, and execution will share insights on how teams can build clarity, readiness, and resilience in 2025 and beyond. This session offers practical perspectives from real transformation work across Minnesota and actionable ideas you can take back to your organization.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Explain why initial change requests often miss the real problem - and how that impacts outcomes.
• Apply simple approaches to validate what truly needs to be solved without slowing momentum.
• Use framing techniques to help stakeholders gain clarity and alignment before solutions are defined.
• Ask questions that shift conversations from solution mode to problem clarity.
• Strengthen their role as strategic advisors who bring clarity before execution.

Location Sponsor:

We’re grateful to Charter Solutions for generously hosting our March Change Summit and providing light refreshments for the evening. Charter Solutions is known for helping organizations bring clarity to complex challenges—aligning strategy, technology, and people to solve the right problems before moving forward. Their commitment to thoughtful, people-centered solutions makes them an ideal partner for a conversation grounded in Clarity First.

Speaker:

Dr. Summer Miller helps businesses navigate change and growth without leaving people behind. Through her work as an advisor, educator, facilitator, and keynote speaker, she helps leaders and teams integrate people-centered and brain-based practices, so their employees want to be part of the future they are building. Summer holds a doctorate in organizational leadership with a research emphasis in change and communication and also teaches graduate courses through the University of Minnesota in organizational development and change consulting. She and her husband Jason have four school-age and three adult children and enjoy spending time investing in their faith, family, and community.