10 Minutes With: Beau Platte

In this edition of 10 Minutes With, we’re excited to introduce Beau Platte, a change management expert with a thoughtful, people-centered approach to organizational transformation. Beau brings a refreshing perspective to the fast-paced, results-driven world of change management, advocating for a focus on the “long game” and a deep understanding of the people who drive business success. Rather than rely on quick pitches or one-size-fits-all solutions, he takes time to connect with leaders and teams, integrating change strategies that foster both agility and unity. Passionate about bridging the gap between technical execution and human experience, Beau’s work at RedCloud leverages AI and automation in ways that enhance—not hinder—organizational momentum. 

Join us as we dive into Beau’s philosophy, insights, and some personal stories that make him a champion of change you’ll want to know.

You're stuck in an elevator with a CEO who's skeptical about organizational change management. What's your 30-second pitch to win them over?

I've never been a fan of 30-second pitches. If I get a limited amount of time with somebody well above me in an organization, use that time to understand what motivates and drives them. Then, over the course of the next three to six months, I will work on positioning my craft to their intellectual and emotional landscapes. Why use the 30 seconds to pitch blind?

What aspect of organizational change management are you most passionate about, and why?

 I enjoy the long game, and for me, that means focusing on the people. Leaders know what they want the business to do and how they need it to perform...that's their focus, and rightly so. Engineers and developers focus on how to enable the business technically... but in between these two things is the engine of any organization, and that is the people doing the work. Highlighting their role and importance is something that I really enjoy.

In your opinion, what's the biggest misconception about organizational change management?

That change management will slow you down.  Understanding the impact of change management and transformation thinking at higher levels within your organization can significantly influence investment perspectives and strategic direction. Change management, done properly, acts as an accelerant.

Looking ahead, what emerging trends or technologies do you think will significantly impact organizational change management in the near future?

I believe the traditional professional service model of selling individuals into roles will be disrupted in the coming years by technologies that are quickly becoming widely available.

AI, automation, and small and large language models will be influential in the development of change management and professional services across the board. RedCloud is currently investing in one of these leaps. We’re building an operational reporting system that is AI and automation-enabled, and we’re super excited about it.

If you look at the current landscape of tooling, you tend to get one of two things: either a delivery mechanism, which is great—you need to think about what multimodal delivery looks like and the data that goes with that—or a data entry and reporting model. We aim to bridge the gap between the two by increasing the efficiency of change managers while embedding the collection of necessary data into operations.

If you weren't in change management, what alternative career path might you have pursued

Honestly, I have absolutely no idea. I love what I do.

Share a favorite quote that inspires your approach to work or life in general.

I generally shy away from quotes and mantras because they often feel so absolute, singular, or narrow. However, if I had to choose one, I recall a saying I saw on a poster during my high school exchange in Norway. It roughly translates to, “Life is just a moment between two eternities.” Both that experience in Norway and the concept itself have guided me.

What's your go-to comfort food, beverage, or activity after a long day at work?

After a stressful day at work, I need to focus on letting go so I can turn my attention to my family. Without question, the fastest way for me to do that is to jump on my rowing machine and push hard for 20 minutes. And if I’m lucky, someone will have carbonara on the table when I'm done.

Tell us something interesting you've learned recently, whether work-related or not.

After 23 years of moving from place to place—state to state, city to city, country to country—and spending the last 9 years in the Pacific Northwest, my family made the decision this summer to move to my hometown in northern Michigan. I had all kinds of stories in my head about why it would be challenging, both for me and for us as West Coasters.

What I’ve learned is that community, once there, is always there. Returning to a community and plugging back in has been one of the greatest experiences. This translates to my work as well. I think community at work is one of the best ways to support talent within an organization.

Our goal with the community of practice at RedCloud is to build a sense of belonging for our change managers, who would traditionally be engaged from a RedCloud perspective but not necessarily from a practice perspective. We aim to foster a sense of community through engagement and support.

Name one piece of technology you couldn't live without.

I’m not much of a technology person. While technology at work keeps me interested and enables our teams to innovate and come up with cool and interesting solutions...the thing that comes to mind when I reflect on the question is a paddle.

If you were to look at my bookshelf, you’d see a whole collection of books, literature, and stories dedicated to movement—movement on water, through air, and on foot. The one closest to me, and I think this comes from growing up with a canoe enthusiast for a dad, is a paddle or an oar. It’s something that has stayed with me since I was young. When I need to go somewhere to think, escape, be alone, or reflect, it always comes with a paddle and movement.

Outside of work, what hobby or interest do you pursue that might surprise your colleagues?

I don’t think people who are close to me at work will be surprised by anything I have to say. I appreciate colleagues who bring their whole selves to work and share what’s happening in their personal lives. This allows me, as a leader and colleague, to step into or out of that space and provide support as needed. The easiest way to create an environment where this behavior is accepted and supported is to share a bit more of yourself than might have been traditionally expected or accepted.