In modern organizations, change rarely fits neatly into “projects” or “operations.” Instead, the boundaries blur—revealing not just process challenges but also the personal histories, assumptions, and professional baggage that shape how we respond. When these unspoken influences collide with role ambiguity, collaboration can quickly slip into friction.
In this session, Tamara Copple will guide participants through real-world stories and reflective exercises that illuminate how our past experiences influence the way we lead and react in moments of stress. Together, we’ll explore strategies for building intentional relationships across project and operations teams—relationships that transform conflict into collaboration and align change initiatives with organizational strategy.
Key Takeaways:
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Recognize how professional experiences—positive and negative—shape our responses to change and role overlap
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Differentiate project-driven change (temporary, goal-focused) from operational transformation (ongoing, process-driven) without letting one undermine the other
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Apply communication and collaboration strategies that reduce interpersonal friction and foster trust
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Practice tools such as working agreements and “manual of me” frameworks to proactively reset relationships and expectations
About Our Speaker
Tamara Copple is cofounder and Lead Business Consultant for Grand River Analytics and a product owner for international nonprofit Children International. She is a speaker and community organizer for multiple professional groups, including as Past President for IIBA Kansas City. Always a business analyst at heart, Tamara mentors tech and tech-adjacent professionals in mastering their craft so that they can achieve better results for themselves and their teams.