Episode 4: The “Messy Middle” of Transformation - With Sally Twisleton

True organisational transformation is rarely a straight line - it’s often won or lost in the "messy middle," where initial excitement wears off and cultural resistance sets in.

In this episode of Flow by Design, we are joined by Sally Twisleton, founder of Assemble Coaching. A Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers with an MSc in Coaching and Mentoring, Sally spent 18 years at Rolls-Royce rising to Head of Engineering Quality - reporting directly to the Group Chief Engineer. Operating at the intersection of engineering culture and human leadership, she brings a deeply grounded perspective on leading teams through high-pressure change programmes.

Together, we dive into:

• How pushback manifests differently across physical and transactional environments - from loud directness to passive non-engagement.
• Why writing down a new process isn't enough, and how leaders can institutionalise capability, use digital systems, and build guiding coalitions so changes don't ping back to old habits.
• Practical ways leaders can slow down, lead with questions, and create inclusive thinking environments where teams feel safe to challenge assumptions.
• How internal leaders and external change agents can effectively "dance" with client resistance and know which battles are worth fighting.