Featuring Mentor Dida, co-founder of Changemaker Allies, expert facilitator, and global futurist in residence at Arizona State University’s College of Global Futures.
In this season of change, we sat down with Mentor Dida to discuss what it takes to pivot and stay ahead of the curve. Mentor is a changemaker devoted to helping organizations transform through meaningful collaboration and authentic leadership. Drawing from years of experience in facilitation, innovation strategy, and capacity building, Mentor shares how today’s most effective change strategies are rooted in communication, collective intelligence and authenticity.
When asked about the biggest challenge he encounters in helping people and organizations navigate change, Mentor didn’t hesitate: the pace of change itself.
“Things are changing faster and faster,” he explained. “As soon as we adjust to one transformation, a new one is already upon us.” This ongoing acceleration demands not just adaptation, but infrastructure that supports collective learning, decision-making, and innovation. For Mentor, the missing link in many organizations is facilitation.
Facilitation provides the structures that allow people to share their perspectives, co-create, and engage meaningfully. Without it, teams often become stagnant.
To pivot successfully, organizations need to activate the collective intelligence of their teams. “The era of a single visionary leader making top-down decisions is over,” Mentor emphasized. “Great ideas come from everywhere.”
He describes facilitation as a tool for bridging the gap between ideation and execution. Facilitators help teams move from “knowing what to do” to actually making it happen, often using tools like human-centered design and co-creation sessions.
But it’s not just about enabling discussion. It’s about crafting spaces where everyone contributes without descending into chaos or needing full consensus. That’s the power of effective facilitation.
One of the biggest pitfalls Mentor sees is jumping into problem-solving without a clear understanding of the actual problem.
“Sometimes leaders assume they know what’s wrong,” he said. “But unless you're collecting real data like employee input, customer feedback, and AI-driven communication analysis, you’re guessing.”
His team starts by defining the challenge alongside clients. This builds shared understanding, trust, and buy-in. From there, they co-create change journeys, allowing the organization itself to generate its own solutions with structured guidance.
And yes, those journeys can be thorny. “It’s not all roses,” Mentor laughed. “Real transformation requires difficult conversations. But it’s in those vulnerable spaces that the real breakthroughs happen.”
When asked what it looks like to truly thrive on the other side of change, Mentor focused on something deeply personal: how people show up.
“It starts at the individual level,” he said. “Thriving happens when people feel empowered, aligned with who they are, and able to contribute from a place of authenticity.”
This sense of authenticity leads to a new kind of decision-making, not one rooted in voting or opposition, but in a sense of what resonates with the group. “In my sessions, I don’t ask people to vote. I look for what resonates,” he explained. “It’s not just democratic, it’s emergent.”
When teams are facilitated skillfully and individuals show up authentically, something new emerges: solutions that are more innovative, more aligned, and more sustainable.
Before closing, Mentor shared one final insight, one that struck true with our team at Kaptivate.
“How we communicate matters,” he said. “The words we choose, the way we engage with one another, these are more than just tactics. They’re sources of strength.”
He encouraged organizations to treat communication not just as a tool for connection, but as the very foundation for transformation.
Watch Mentor's full #PivotAndThrive interview.
Kaptivate remains committed to helping brands navigate uncertain times and challenges, successfully pivot, and be able to thrive in the future. Are you interested in learning more on how we can help your organization pivot and thrive? Connect with us today!