Expert Career Lessons From a Change Management Lead
While change management can often feel complex and uncertain, for some, it is a process that is creative, full of opportunity, and deeply human.
Over the course of an 18-year career across the retail, Financial Services, health insurance, and not-for-profit sectors, Rema Heath has embraced this exact philosophy.
Beginning in retail, where she stepped into her first leadership role, Rema developed a deep passion for leading complex, enterprise-wide programs spanning people, process, and technology.
Today, she is a Change Management Lead at not-for-profit Uniting, where she has spent the past five years leading a team of dedicated change professionals. Together, they deliver strategic organisational initiatives that strengthen services and improve outcomes for the communities they serve.
Outside of work, she navigates the beautiful chaos of a blended family of five kids, who give her a daily reminder that resilience, adaptability, and a sense of humour are essential tools for any leader. In fact, she jokes that leading organisational change sometimes feels easier than coordinating a busy family life.
Here are the key lessons Rema has gathered throughout her journey in leadership, project delivery, and business transformation:
Lesson 1: Embrace Opportunities With a Growth Mindset
Reaching a senior position in change management requires a willingness to step into the unknown. Rema credits much of her career success and growth to taking on new roles and challenges, even when they pushed her far outside of her comfort zone.
"One of the best decisions I've made in my career has been saying yes to new opportunities," she shares. "Looking back, it's those experiences, having a growth mindset, and the willingness to keep saying yes that have shaped the leader I am today."
Her expert tip: Resilience is essential on your career journey. Not every experience will be easy, but actively seeking feedback, staying positive, adapting to change, and always treating people with respect will accelerate your learning and build your confidence.
Lesson 2: Trust Your Expertise and Stay Present
Imposter syndrome can affect leaders at any level, especially when facilitating complex conversations or presenting to senior stakeholders. The most valuable piece of advice Rema ever received was from a mentor who reminded her to trust in her own knowledge and experience:
"They encouraged me to remember that I was invited into the room because of my expertise and to share that with others and invite their perspectives," she says. This advice fundamentally shifted her mindset.
Her expert tip: Instead of worrying about having all the answers, learn to focus on being prepared and present in the moment. By remaining curious to the perspectives of others, you create genuine connection and trust the value that both you and your colleagues bring to the table.
Lesson 3: ‘Get on the Balcony’ to Navigate Complexity
One of the greatest tests of a change leader is taking over a project mid-flight. For Rema, one of her biggest career challenges arose when she was asked to lead the change management stream for a major transformation program just five months before the go-live date.
Inheriting a strategy that differed vastly from her own approach, she had to quickly establish a clear direction and build trusted relationships with a new group of stakeholders, all while managing her team through competing organisational pressures.
Rather than trying to change everything at once, she focused on what mattered most: building strong relationships, creating clarity and direction, communicating openly and empowering those around me to bring their strengths.
Her expert tip: “Effective leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about remaining calm under pressure, getting on the balcony, seeing the bigger picture and what’s most needed, adapting quickly, and bringing people with you through change.”
Lesson 4: Lead With Authenticity and Build Support
When asked what advice she would pass on to the next generation of aspiring female leaders, Rema emphasises the importance of staying true to yourself, showing grit, having the confidence to back yourself and leaning on others.
Stepping into leadership isn't about fitting into someone else's mould. It’s about understanding your values and backing yourself. Here are her top tips:
- Lead with authenticity and grit: Every leadership journey has its setbacks, and not every interaction will be positive. What matters is how you respond. Stay professional, learn from challenges, and keep moving forward.
- Invest in your team: Have honest conversations that celebrate their strengths and encourage development. Handle difficult conversations with empathy, curiosity, respect, and care.
- Create space to reflect: Leadership moves quickly. Take time to pause, appreciate what has been achieved, and recognise the people around you. Celebrating progress keeps you grounded and intentional.
- Cultivate a compassionate support network: Surround yourself with mentors, coaches, and colleagues who challenge you, encourage you and remind you of your strengths.
Rema concludes: “Leadership can sometimes feel lonely, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Surround yourself with people who will help you grow while staying true to the leader you want to be. Collective compassionate leadership matters.”
About Rema Heath:
Rema is a Change Management Lead at Uniting and has been in the organisation for five years, leading a team who deliver strategic organisational initiatives and transformation that strengthens their services and improves outcomes for the people and communities they serve.
With over 18 years of experience across the retail, Financial Services, health insurance, and not-for-profit sectors, she specialises in leadership, project delivery, and business transformation.
She is a passionate advocate for collective compassionate leadership and believes that because we all experience change differently, open conversations are where we learn the most.
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